Blood Components

Composition

Red cells, plasma and platelets; haemostatic function depends on processing and time since collection.

Indications

• Haemorrhage with anaemia and volume loss requiring combined replacement.
• Consider separate components to tailor replacement to the deficit.

Contraindications and limitations

• Anaemia without plasma requirements: consider PRBC to reduce volume.
• Platelet contribution depends on collection and elapsed time; it is not equivalent to platelet concentrate.

Dose

Dog Calculate volume →

Cat Calculate volume →

Individualise according to the deficit and clinical response.

Administration

Starting and adjusting the rate

PBB reference rates for stable dogs: start 0.5–1 mL/kg/h for 15–30 minutes; if tolerated, consider 5–10 mL/kg/h. Circulatory compromise requires a slower plan (reference: 1–2 mL/kg/h). Unstable haemorrhage and feline patients require individual planning.

Line and filter

Dedicated line with a blood filter compatible with product, volume and pump. Do not add drugs or calcium-containing fluids.

Time after opening

PBB reference: finish and discard residual product within 4 hours of breaching the unit. Plan aseptic aliquots when needed.

Temperature and preparation

No thawing step. Check integrity, identification and time since collection before releasing the unit.

Storage

Maintain controlled conditions from collection and record times; refrigeration belongs to the stored-blood protocol.

Shelf life

Cornell recommends using fresh whole blood within 4–6 hours of collection. Confirm the local definition of “fresh”.

Composition

Red cells and plasma; storage changes platelet and labile factor activity.

Indications

• Anaemia with a concurrent volume requirement.
• Select PRBC when the plasma fraction is unnecessary.

Contraindications and limitations

• Do not rely on functional platelets or labile factors.
• Consider overload risk in cardiac or renal patients.

Dose

Dog Calculate volume →

Cat Calculate volume →

Individualise according to haematocrit, volume and patient condition.

Administration

Starting and adjusting the rate

PBB reference rates for stable dogs: start 0.5–1 mL/kg/h for 15–30 minutes; if tolerated, consider 5–10 mL/kg/h. Circulatory compromise requires a slower plan (reference: 1–2 mL/kg/h). Unstable haemorrhage and feline patients require individual planning.

Line and filter

Dedicated line with a blood filter compatible with product, volume and pump. Do not add drugs or calcium-containing fluids.

Time after opening

PBB reference: finish and discard residual product within 4 hours of breaching the unit. Plan aseptic aliquots when needed.

Temperature and preparation

Remove from refrigeration close to use. Warming is not automatic; when indicated, use controlled equipment, with the water bath no hotter than 37°C per PBB.

Storage

PBB canine example: 2–6°C for whole blood in CPD/CPDA. Monitor the cold chain and avoid freezing.

Shelf life

PBB example: under 21 days in the described system. Check anticoagulant, label and integrity; this is not a universal expiry.

Composition

Red cell rich fraction after plasma separation.

Indications

• Clinically significant anaemia requiring increased oxygen-carrying capacity.
• Red-cell replacement with less plasma volume.

Contraindications and limitations

• Does not provide therapeutic replacement of clotting factors or platelets.
• The haematocrit target should reflect patient needs, not necessarily normalization.

Dose

Dog Calculate volume →

Cat Calculate volume →

Calculate using body weight, patient and unit haematocrit and the clinical goal.

Administration

Starting and adjusting the rate

PBB reference rates for stable dogs: start 0.5–1 mL/kg/h for 15–30 minutes; if tolerated, consider 5–10 mL/kg/h. Circulatory compromise requires a slower plan (reference: 1–2 mL/kg/h). Unstable haemorrhage and feline patients require individual planning.

Line and filter

Dedicated line with a blood filter compatible with product, volume and pump. Do not add drugs or calcium-containing fluids.

Time after opening

PBB reference: finish and discard residual product within 4 hours of breaching the unit. Plan aseptic aliquots when needed.

Temperature and preparation

Remove from refrigeration close to use. Warming is not automatic; when indicated, use controlled equipment, with the water bath no hotter than 37°C per PBB.

Storage

PBB canine SAG-M example: 2–6°C. Keep refrigerated until close to use; do not freeze.

Shelf life

PBB canine SAG-M example: 42 days from collection. Other additives and systems have their own labelled shelf lives.

Composition

Plasma separated and frozen to preserve coagulation factors.

Indications

• Clotting factor deficiency with bleeding or procedure-related risk.
• Follow haemostasis and clinical response before further replacement.

Contraindications and limitations

• Does not correct anaemia or thrombocytopenia.
• Albumin replacement alone may require excessive volumes; consider alternatives.

Dose

Dog 10–20 mL/kg

Cat 6–10 mL/kg

Dogs: 10–20 mL/kg. Cats: 6–10 mL/kg. Adjust to clinical response (MSD Veterinary Manual).

Administration

Starting and adjusting the rate

PBB reference rates for stable dogs: start 0.5–1 mL/kg/h for 15–30 minutes; if tolerated, consider 5–10 mL/kg/h. Circulatory compromise requires a slower plan (reference: 1–2 mL/kg/h). Unstable haemorrhage and feline patients require individual planning.

Line and filter

Dedicated line with a blood filter compatible with product, volume and pump. Do not add drugs or calcium-containing fluids.

Time after opening

PBB reference: finish and discard residual product within 4 hours of breaching the unit. Plan aseptic aliquots when needed.

Temperature and preparation

Thaw without damaging the bag and protect ports from water; monitored bath up to 37°C (PBB). Check for leaks before connecting.

Storage

PBB example: keep frozen below −18°C, with temperature monitoring and bag protection.

Shelf life

Cornell/PBB reference: up to 1 year as FFP in the described system. After thawing, follow the supplier’s use window.

Composition

Plasma fraction rich in fibrinogen, factor VIII and von Willebrand factor.

Indications

• Targeted fibrinogen, factor VIII or von Willebrand factor replacement.
• Support for specific deficiencies with bleeding or a planned procedure.

Contraindications and limitations

• Does not replace plasma for every factor deficiency.
• Not a red-cell, platelet or albumin replacement.

Dose

Dog 1 unit / 10 kg

Reference: 1 unit/10 kg; confirm the content of each unit.

Administration

Starting and adjusting the rate

PBB reference rates for stable dogs: start 0.5–1 mL/kg/h for 15–30 minutes; if tolerated, consider 5–10 mL/kg/h. Circulatory compromise requires a slower plan (reference: 1–2 mL/kg/h). Unstable haemorrhage and feline patients require individual planning.

Line and filter

Dedicated line with a blood filter compatible with product, volume and pump. Do not add drugs or calcium-containing fluids.

Time after opening

PBB reference: finish and discard residual product within 4 hours of breaching the unit. Plan aseptic aliquots when needed.

Temperature and preparation

Thaw without damaging the bag and protect ports from water; monitored bath up to 37°C (PBB). Check for leaks before connecting.

Storage

Keep frozen; PBB example below −18°C. Avoid mechanical damage to frozen bags.

Shelf life

Cornell/PBB reference: up to 1 year frozen in the described system; confirm the post-thaw window.

Composition

A platelet enriched product.

Indications

• Clinically relevant bleeding associated with thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction.
• Assess bleeding, cause and response as well as the platelet count.

Contraindications and limitations

• Immune destruction can limit response duration.
• Fresh, cryopreserved and lyophilized platelets are not interchangeable products.

Dose

Dog 1 unit / 10 kg

MSD canine-product reference: 1 unit/10 kg. Confirm platelet content, formulation and response.

Administration

Starting and adjusting the rate

Plan infusion according to bleeding and tolerance. Clinical urgency may require adjustment of the initial observation period.

Line and filter

Dedicated line with a blood filter compatible with product, volume and pump. Do not add drugs or calcium-containing fluids.

Time after opening

MSD/PBB reference: administer within 2 hours. Follow specific cryopreserved-product instructions.

Temperature and preparation

Confirm whether the product is fresh or cryopreserved before handling; do not apply red-cell preparation to platelets.

Storage

Fresh PC: PBB example 20–24°C. Use validated bags and agitation conditions; cryopreserved products follow a different protocol.

Shelf life

PBB fresh PC example: 5 days in the validated system. Do not extrapolate to open-system preparations.