ABSTRACT: Blood transfusions are becoming increasingly common in veterinary medicine and veterinary nurses play an important role in administering blood products to patients, who often present as emergency patients and can be in a critical condition. Canine blood donors are needed in order for this life-saving treatment to be possible. This article describes the progression for performing a canine blood transfusion including obtaining a suitable donor, blood collection, processing, storage and transfusion to recipients.

Author

Samantha Barber BSc(Hons) CertVNECC RVN

Samantha graduated from the Royal Veterinary College with a BSc in Veterinary Nursing in 2016 and has worked at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals in the Emergency and Critical Care department for 4 years. She completed the Vets Now ECC certificate and in January 2020 she joined the Transfusion Medicine Service for a year’s maternity cover.

Email: sbarber2@rvc.ac.uk

Keywords: transfusion; blood donation; plasma; emergency; critical care

To cite this article: Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 36 (05) • May 2021 pp158-161

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