BLOOD TRANSFUSION KIT FOR LARGE ANIMALS

Pashu Sandesh, 25 January 2018

Dr.Vikas Paraji Chattar

INTRODUCTION:

Large animals especially in bovine, severe anemia occurs due to blood protozoan infection like Theileriosis, Babesiosis, Trypanosomiasis, ecto and endo parasite, blood loss during surgery and nutritional deficiency. In severe anemia where there is extreme depletion of oxygen carrying capacity of the blood occurs. Most of the animals die due to severe anemia. Therefore, a simple, rapid, inexpensive and timely administration of blood in cases of life-threatening anemia in large animal is clinically very rewarding. By keeping in view of all those things Blood transfusion kit for blood transfusion in large animals is designed by me. Blood transfusion kit is easy to perform, less time consuming, economically justifiable, giving spectacular results and professional.

COMPONENT OF BLOOD TRANSFUSION KIT:

• Empty collection bag - 2 litr. capacity
• 200 ml anticoagulant. (CPDA)
• Blood transfusion sets-2
• Blood collection needles-2
• Syringe 50 ml capacity-1
• Glass slide-1
• Emergency medicine for blood transfusion reaction.

PROCEDURE OF BLOOD TRANSFUSION:

Selection of donor

The selection of donor may be restricted by availability, but should be a healthy, mature animal which 4 to 5 yrs of age and easy to handle. Body Condition Score should be greater than 4.5.

Cross matching:

First transfusions are usually safe to apply without cross-match of blood, hence no need of cross matching for first blood transfusion.

Blood collection:

Transfer 200 ml anticoagulant into empty blood bag with the help of 50 ml syringe provided with kit. Select healthy donor animal and restrain tightly with a rope halter. Pulling the head as far as possible to either side will help expose the jugular vein. Identify the jugular, then clip an exposed section of skin mid-way along the jugular groove and perform a basic sterile preparation of the area. Insert needle into jugular vein provided in kit and attach blood transfusion set to needle. When blood start flowing through blood transfusion set, insert one end of set into blood collection bag, through top outlet and collect blood in bag with slowly shaking. Once you have obtained the desired quantity, release the jugular and remove the needle. Total blood volume in cattle represents 7-8% of bodyweight. No more than 25% of total blood volume should be collected from a donor at one time. In practice, 10-15% of an adult’s blood volume (5-6 litres) is usually sufficient for most indications. (Gareth Bell, 2006).

Administration of blood:

 Restrain animal tightly with a rope halter, if necessary. Transfusion can be done in a paddock to a recumbent cow, restrained with a halter tied to her leg. Insert blood transfusion set into second opening of bag. Blood collection bag is provided with non return valve at top opening so u can invert the bag and start transfusion. It is recommended to run the blood relatively slowly for the first few minutes, while there is a low risk of transfusion reactions (manifested as respiratory distress, oedematous swellings, tachycardia, hiccupping, thrashing or sweating), the recipient should be continuously monitored. In case of reactions, use medication provided with kit at proper dose rate. (dose rate given along with kit). The remaining blood can be run in over 10 to 15 minutes. Monitor the giving set for any air pockets towards the end of the transfusion and stop once you see these begin to appear, even if your collection chamber is not yet empty. Subsequently, remove the needle and apply pressure for a few minutes. Kit is provided with step-by-step procedure and precautions.

Conclusion

Blood transfusion kit is very helpful for successful blood transfusion in large animals because all the materials, chemicals, medicines and procedure is given in kit. We vet always face the problem of availability of all those things required for blood transfusion, so we hesitate to do blood transfusion or we do but we don’t get expected results. Keeping in view of all those things kit is prepared so that we vet can do blood transfusion easily and safely to save life of many speechless creature on earth.

How to get the kit

The  Blood transfusion kit is available at a price of Rs 500 for veterinary doctors. Any vet who wants the kit can contact at the below address. The kit will be send through the courier service.

  Dr.Vikas Paraji Chattar

M.V.Sc (Pathology)

   Livestock Development Officer,  

 Animal Husbandry Department, Maharashtra.

Cont no: 9765215573 , email:vikaschattar@gmail.com