ABSTRACT
Many centuries ago, the concept of ‘like transfuses like’ was discovered when infusion of blood from one species into a different species was met with ultimately fatal complications. In the early 1600s, Richard Lower withdrew blood from the femoral artery of one dog, then infused it into the jugular vein of another dog, without complications. 1 However, infusion of sheep and cow blood into humans resulted in fever, nausea, renal pain, and black discoloration of the urine. In 1910, four different agglutinins and hemolysins on canine red blood cells were discovered. 1 Since that time, a total of 12 canine erythrocyte antigen (DEA) blood groups have been discovered in dogs, and four different blood types in domestic cats, 2 and veterinarians now have a much more solid working knowledge of transfusion medicine for small animal patients. Administration of whole blood and specific blood components has become a mainstay in the therapy of critically ill patients with various forms of anemia and abnormalities of coagulation. A thorough knowledge of the components of each blood product, indications for its use, and potential risks of administration are necessary to provide appropriate therapies for the patient, and to make the most of blood banks and donor pools.
