Clinical indications for use of fresh frozen plasma in dogs: 74 dogs (October through December 1999)

Objective - To document reasons for use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in dog s and determine variables that apparently triggered the decision to use FFP . Design - Retrospective study. Animals - 74 dogs. Procedure - Medical records of dogs that received FFP at a veterinary teach ing hospital during a 3-month period were reviewed. Results - The 74 dogs underwent 144 transfusion episodes (TE; a TE was defi ned as 1 day of transfusion therapy) and received 252 units (120 ml/unit) o f FFP. Fresh frozen plasma was administered to provide coagulation factors (67 TE), albumin (91), alpha-macroglobulin (15), or immunoglobulins (19); f or some TE, multiple clinical indications were identified. Variables that a pparently triggered the decision to administer FFP included active hemorrha ge with or without prolongation of coagulation times, low total plasma prot ein concentration, persistent vomiting associated with pancreatitis, and se psis. Mean doses of FFP for each indication were between 8.5 and 9.4 ml/kg (3.9 and 4.3 ml/lb). Small dogs were generally given higher doses (mean dos e, 13.9 ml/kg [6.3 ml/lb])) than large dogs (mean dose, 5.1 ml/kg [2.3 ml/l b]). Fifty (68%) dogs were alive at the time of discharge from the hospital . Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - Results suggest that FFP plays an impo rtant role in the care of critically ill dogs. Because the supply of FFP is limited, guidelines for when administration of FFP may be clinically usefu l should be developed.