Abstract
To describe the use of a xenotransfusion protocol, the outcome of xenotransfusion in recipient cats and to assess owner memory of the xenotransfusion. Cats administered xenotransfusions in two hospitals between January 2016 and July 2018 were included. Adherence to xenotransfusion protocol, cause of anaemia, blood type, packed cell volume (PCV), transfusion volume, transfusion reactions, PCV 12 hours after transfusion and survival to discharge were recorded. Owners of surviving cats were questioned to assess if they remembered that a xenotransfusion had been performed. Forty-nine cats underwent the xenotransfusion protocol. The most common causes of anaemia were surgical blood loss (n = 17), immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (n = 14) and neoplasia (n = 14). Median PCV before transfusion was 10%. Six cats (12%) had febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reactions. Median PCV 12 hours after transfusion was 25%. Ten cats (20%) died or were euthanased within 24 hours of xenotransfusion. A delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction occurred in 25 of 39 (64%) cats manifesting as icterus in 15 cats after a median of 1.9 days and haemolytic serum in 19 cats after a median of 2 days. Of the 18 cats alive at 1 week after discharge, 15 (83%) were still alive at a median of 173 days after xenotransfusion. All owners contacted remembered that their cats had received a xenotransfusion. Xenotransfusion of canine packed red blood cells to cats is possible but haemolysis should be expected between 1 and 6 days after transfusion.
Highlights
Xenotransfusion of canine blood to cats is a recognised veterinary technique, having been used to treat anaemic cats in emergencies when compatible feline blood was not available (Oron et al 2017, Bovens &Gruffydd‐Jones 2013)
In vitro data suggest that transfusion of cats with dog blood could cause an acute haemolytic transfusion reaction (Euler et al 2016, Priolo et al 2018), no severe acute adverse reactions have been reported in cats receiving a single canine blood transfusion
The owners were informed of the risks of sudden death, rapid haemolysis and likely requirement for a subsequent transfusion with feline blood products
Summary
Xenotransfusion of canine blood to cats is a recognised veterinary technique, having been used to treat anaemic cats in emergencies when compatible feline blood was not available (Oron et al 2017, Bovens &Gruffydd‐Jones 2013). Xenotransfusion of canine blood to cats is a recognised veterinary technique, having been used to treat anaemic cats in emergencies when compatible feline blood was not available In vitro data suggest that transfusion of cats with dog blood could cause an acute haemolytic transfusion reaction (Euler et al 2016, Priolo et al 2018), no severe acute adverse reactions have been reported in cats receiving a single canine blood transfusion Delayed haemolytic transfusion reactions are frequent and fatal anaphylaxis has been described following repeated xenotransfusion (Hessler et al 1962, René 1968, Lautié et al 1969, Bovens & Gruffydd‐Jones 2013). There have been some recent clinical reports of successful xenotransfusion (Oron et al 2017, Weingram et al 2014, Klainbart et al 2018), large studies and literature regarding the peri‐
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