Medicina trasfusionale felina

Blood transfusion in cats is used primarily in the treatment of anemia. The presence of naturally occurring antibodies against the erythrocytes of different blood groups means that blood typing, to establish donor and recipient compatibility, is essential before blood transfusion and that cross-matching should be performed before each transfusion. It is also important to perform blood typing in breeding cats to prevent neonatal isoerythrolysis. Blood donors must have appropriate physical characteristics and be negative for infection diseases that might be transmitted by blood donations. The standard unit of whole blood in cats is approximately 60 ml and, if properly collected and preserved, red cell viability is maintainedfor 35 days. The risk of transfusion reaction can be reduced by administration of compatible blood collected under controlled conditions.