PACKED RED-BLOOD-CELL TRANSFUSIONS IN DOGS - 131 CASES (1989)

One hundred and thirty-one dogs received 163 packed RBC transfusions i n 1989, and records from these dogs were examined. Seventy percent had anemia from blood loss, 22% from hemolysis, and 8% from bone marrow h ypoplasia. Forty-seven percent (62 dogs) survived hospitalization. Thi rty-seven percent (49 dogs) required anesthesia for a surgical procedu re. Thirteen percent (17 dogs) had acute or delayed transfusion reacti ons, but all of these dogs survived hospitalization. There was no age, breed, or sex predilection. Criteria used to determine transfusion ne ed included anemia (measured by PCV); history of acute blood loss; nee d for anesthesia; and evidence of weakness, tachypnea, or tachycardia. Twenty-four percent (32 dogs) scored < 5 on the transfusion-need asse ssment scale. These dogs may have had falsely low scores because of ra pid blood loss from surgery or trauma without reflection in the PCV.