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Blood Transfusions in Dogs: Study Reveals Risk Factors and Outcomes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study published in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care has evaluated the outcome of blood transfusions in dogs, identifying the incidence and risk factors associated with transfusion reactions. The study, conducted at a veterinary teaching hospital in Denmark, reviewed medical records and transfusion logs of 137 dogs receiving blood transfusions between January 2018 and March 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that transfusion outcomes were successful for 29.5% of transfusions, moderately improved for 23.7%, and not improved for 9.4%.
  • Transfusion reactions (TRs) occurred in 12.4% of patients, with acute hemolytic TR being the most common type (61.9%).
  • TRs were more common with red blood cell (RBC)-containing products (p = 0.0001) and in dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) (p = 0.002).
  • There were more successful outcomes for transfusions without a TR (p = 0.008; odds ratio: 6.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.6-28.6).
  • The study's outcome definitions proved informative when applied to indications for which a large number of patients received blood products, showing that transfusions generally improved clinical and laboratory parameters in anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and hemostatic dysfunction associated with angiostrongylosis.

Statistics:

  • 137 dogs were included in the study.
  • 217 transfused units (TUs) and 190 transfusion events were documented.
  • Transfusion reactions occurred in 21 patients, with 13 being acute hemolytic TR (61.9%).
  • The incidence of TRs was higher with RBC-containing products (p = 0.0001) and in dogs with IMHA (p = 0.002).

Sources:

  • Retrospective Evaluation of Blood Product Transfusion Outcomes and Risk Factors for Transfusion Reactions in Dogs at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital with an Established Blood Bank: 137 Dogs (2018-2022). Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 2025.
  • Lise N. Nielsen, Dept. of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
  • Rebecca Langhorn, additional author.
  • University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.
  • Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Wiley-Blackwell (www.wiley.com; onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1476-4431)

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