Can a Cat Obtain a Blood Transfusion from a Canine? – Oakland Veterinary Referral Providers

Oakland Veterinary Referral Providers has a blood financial institution and gives blood transfusions to canine and cats who’ve a pet emergency. We frequently ask canine to be blood donors and have cat house owners ask if we additionally want cat donors, however we at all times use canine blood. Can a cat obtain a blood transfusion from a canine, and if that’s the case, in what circumstances? Our information explains cat transfusions and when it’s okay to make use of canine blood in feline sufferers.

Blood Transfusions for Cats

Whereas feline blood is the very best sort of blood transfusion for a cat, cats can get blood transfusions from canine in an emergency. This process, often known as a xenotransfusion, ought to solely be accomplished in a particular occasion, or in a life-threatening state of affairs. After receiving canine blood, cats ought to obtain one other transfusion with feline blood as quickly as attainable. 

Conditions for a Xenotransfusion

Whereas it’s not perfect, there are a couple of conditions through which a xenotransfusion might be carried out safely. These embrace:

• An inadequate quantity of feline blood provide.
• There is no such thing as a matching feline blood sort. Vets can use canine blood with out having to match it.
• Different transfusion choices have been unsuccessful.
• A cat has an acute transfusion response to feline blood.

There are specific medical emergencies that require a direct blood transfusion. If an emergency veterinarian believes a cat will die with out blood, she or he will use canine blood.

How a Xenotransfusion Can Assist

In an emergency, canine blood might be useful to a feline affected person. On high of offering a life-saving provide of blood, it additionally brings sure advantages that may assist a cat heal. These embrace:

• It’s straightforward to present canine blood to a cat
• The process might be accomplished shortly
• It eliminates the necessity for blood typing
• It typically prices lower than a feline blood transfusion 
• It won’t transmit feline leukemia

If a health care provider asks for permission to carry out a xenotransfusion in your cat, you may really feel assured granting it. 

Why It’s Not a Lengthy-Time period Resolution Although

Canine blood can solely survive in a feline physique for a couple of days earlier than the cat’s immune system begins to destroy it. Some cats may additionally have antibodies that reject canine blood, which may trigger a foul response to a transfusion. As with all transfusion, a xenotransfusion might additionally switch sure parasites or infections from a canine right into a cat’s system. A second xenotransfusion might be deadly for a cat, so if it doesn’t work the primary time, docs might want to strive one thing else.

Can a cat obtain a blood transfusion from a canine? The reply is sure however solely in an emergency and should be adopted up inside a few days with a transfusion of feline blood. 

Oakland Veterinary Referral Providers has an in-house blood financial institution that operates 24 hours a day to make sure we have now entry to blood once we want it. Our emergency care companies are ready to deal with a variety of pet emergencies. While you need assistance in your pet quick, we’re right here for you. Name (248) 334-6877 to be taught extra about our companies or to schedule an appointment.