This guide to laboratory procedure in transfusions for dogs and cats provides easily accessible, clinical information regarding the collection, storage, and use of blood and blood products in the small animal patient. It includes step-by-step procedures for the separation of whole blood into components, along with ahow to for establishing a

ContentsSection 1Creation of a Community Based Blood BankIntroductionSome Helpful HintsOwner RecruitmentOwner and Donor AttributesBasic Equipment Needs for Blood Collection, Processing and StorageSection 2Blood Collection Systems,Processing, Storage and ShipmentAnticoagulants and PreservativesBlood Collection SystemsBlood Product OverviewBlood Collection Systems and Pre-Processing GuidelinesPreparation of Fresh Whole BloodPreparation of Red Cells and Fresh Frozen PlasmaPreparation of Cryoprecipitated Anti-Hemophilic Factor and Cryo-Poor PlasmaPreparation of Platelet Rich PlasmaShort Draw and Decreasing the Amount of Anticoagulant PreservativePurchasing and Receiving Blood Productsfrom Outside SourcesPreparing Blood Products for ShipmentSection 3Clinical Considerations inTransfusion PracticeThe CrossmatchBlood Transfusion GuidelinesBlood Substitutes: Alternatives to Blood and Blood ProductsCompatible IV SolutionsBlood Administration SetsAdverse Effects of Blood TransfusionSection 4BiosafetyLaboratory SafetyQuality AssuranceRecordsInventory ManagementSection 5MethodsPreparation of Fresh Whole BloodPreparation of Red Cells and Fresh Frozen PlasmaPreparation of Cryoprecipitate and Cryoprecipitate-Poor PlasmaPreparation of Platelet Rich PlasmaCrossmatch ProcedureWashed Cell SuspensionReaction GradingSaline Replacement ProcedureWarming Whole Blood, Red Cells or Thawing FFP, Cryo or Cryo-Poor PlasmaCentrifuge CalibrationAppendix 1 Manufacturers of Blood Collection BagsAppendix 2 Organizations with Veterinary Blood Bank InterestsIndexRecommended Readings