Blood Transfusion in
Bovines
Volume 22 • Issue 02 • 2018
Dr Francois van Niekerk
Humansdorp Veterinary Clinic
DONOR RECIPIENT
Requirements Requirements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Xylazine 1.2 ml IM
Lignocaine
23g needle
Nº 10 or 15 scalpel blade and handle
Blood collection needle [4 – 5mm internal
diameter, available from
Instavet] or trocar & cannula of similar
diameter. Large plastic funnel plus plastic
tube [latter optional]
6. Container for blood [5 litre anthelmintic
container ideal]
7. Anti-coagulant
• Na citrate 3.8% solution [add 3.8g
to 100ml saline, need 100ml of this
solution per litre of blood, thus 19g Na
citrate/5litres of blood]
• Therefore dissolve 20g Na citrate in
500ml saline per 5ℓ blood
8. Tourniquet for caudal neck 1. High capacity giving set 10 drops/ml and/or
flutter valve
2. 12g 8cm IV catheter for administering
blood [available from Lakato]
3. Lignocaine [optional]
4. Nº 15 blade [optional]
5. Adrenalin [for transfusion reactions,
optional]
Procedure (Donor) •
1. Raise head of donor with nose tongs and
bend head slightly to side opposite to that
on which you will work.
2. Coat funnel and tube with anticoagulant
3. Lignocaine over jugular vein
4. 1.5cm incision over vein
5. More lignocaine in s/c tissue over vein
6. Dissect down onto donor’s jugular [with
care!]
7. Grab vein with rat-tooth forceps and hold
firmly
8. Stab in collection needle/trocar
Note
3.8g Na citrate crystals = a slightly rounded
teaspoon
Notes
•
•
Extend length of breather pipe on flutter
valve to avoid blood running out.
Ensure flutter valve not perished, can tear
on wider spouts of 5ℓ containers.
Large bore blood giving set can be attached
to flutter valve.
Amount of Blood Required (Guideline)
One litre of blood will raise PCV about 0.75%,
therefore to raise PCV from 10% to 15% need
5% ÷ 0.75% = 6.66 litres in a 600kg cow.
Clinical difference between a PCV of 10% and
one of 15% is significant.
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