ABSTRACT OF THE WEEK

Journal of veterinary internal medicine/ American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Volume 38 | Issue 6 (2024 Nov-Dec)

Feline blood donation: Description and adverse reactions from 29 201 donation events between 2019 and 2023.

J Vet Intern Med. 2024 Nov-Dec;38(6):3050 - 3062.

Samantha S Taylor¹, Helena C M Ferreira², André F P Cambra³, Giovanni Lo Iacono⁴, Kamalan Jeevaratnam⁵, Ignacio Mesa-Sánchez⁶, Rui R F Ferreira⁷

¹ School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom.; ² Animal Blood Bank, Porto, Portugal.; ³ Animal Blood Bank, Porto, Portugal.; ⁴ School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom.; ⁵ School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom.; ⁶ Animal Blood Bank, Porto, Portugal.; ⁷ Animal Blood Bank, Porto, Portugal.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Feline blood transfusion is required for the treatment of various illnesses in cats, and the safety of donor cats is vital. Donor adverse reactions can include cardiorespiratory, venepuncture-related, and behavioral abnormalities.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES:To describe a large number of feline blood donation events and document use of sedation and anxiolysis, record volume of blood collected and describe the frequency, type, and risk factors for, adverse reactions.

ANIMALS:The study included 7812 individual cats and 29 201 donation events at a blood banking center over 5 years.

METHODS:Retrospective analysis of donation event records with signalment, donation volume, sedation status, donation number, and adverse reactions (acute and caregiver reported) recorded. Risk factors for adverse reactions were examined by stratifying data according to groups exposed to relevant predictors and calculating odds ratios with 95% and 99% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS:Adverse reactions were uncommon (0.29%, 2.88/1000 donor events) and most commonly were cardiorespiratory (0.08%, 0.75/1000 donor events) or behavioral (0.06%, 0.62/1000 donor events). The only risk factor significantly associated with adverse reactions was conscious donation, with conscious donors 4.4 times more likely to have an adverse reaction (95% CI, 2.5-7.9, P ≤ .0001).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:Feline blood donation is associated with a low rate of adverse reactions. Sedation should be considered to reduce adverse reactions, and the environment and interactions optimized to reduce donor stress. Caregiver education on care postdonation could reduce behavioral adverse reactions.

Keywords

anxiolysis; blood collection; blood donation; blood group; blood transfusion; cat; sedation;

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Erratum In J Vet Intern Med. 2025 Jul-Aug;39(4):e70194. doi: 10.1111/jvim.70194.

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