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Blood Transfusion in Cats
What is Blood Transfusion?
Blood transfusions are often life-saving procedures. By intravenously introducing new blood into an animal, a vet can compensate for blood that has been lost due to injury, or replace blood cells that have died off due to infection or illness. In cats, however, there are some specific factors that need to be considered before a transfusion is conducted, in order to minimize the potential risk of complications.
Blood Transfusion Procedure in Cats
If the blood type of the cat in question is unknown, the vet will first take a blood sample for testing. This will allow them to determine the blood type of the cat and administer the correct blood. Doing this will prevent a hemolytic reaction, which can be potentially fatal for already weakened animals. The cat is then given a mild sedative to prevent it from damaging the transfusion equipment. The next step is to shave a small spot over the vein that has been targeted for infusion - this will allow the vet a good view of both the vein and the surrounding area. Next, the vet will insert a needle, followed by an IV catheter into the vein and connect it to an IV bag filled with fresh blood. The drip is then taped in place and the blood bag is elevated to allow the blood to drain naturally via gravity into the cat. Once the transfusion is complete, the vet simply removes the catheter from the cat.
Efficacy of Blood Transfusion in Cats
The results of the blood transfusion should be apparent to the owner of the cat immediately after the sedatives have worn off. If it had been suffering from anemia, the animal will appear visibly more energetic and lively than before the transfusion. If blood loss was the problem, the cat's heart rate and breathing should stabilize as the body has more blood to work with. The duration of the effects of the blood transfusion will depend on the precise nature of the condition. In injured cats, they should return to their old selves as their body naturally produces more blood to replace that which was lost. Anemic cats may, dependent on the type of illness affecting them, require longer-term treatment. Cats with autoimmune diseases, meanwhile, might never fully recover.
Blood Transfusion Recovery in Cats
Cats affected by blood loss should immediately begin to produce new blood, meaning that owners should be primarily concerned with tending to their injuries. In addition to administering antibiotics, open wounds should be monitored, the use of an E-collar may be needed to prevent the animal from pulling out sutures, and painkillers may be prescribed to treat discomfort. Whilst simple lacerations can heal in a few weeks, broken bones and deeper injuries can take months to fully recover from. The treatment plans for cats suffering from low red blood cell count or a low platelet count can vary drastically depending on the exact cause. While many conditions can be resolved in a matter of months with the proper medication, more serious problems such as autoimmune diseases can require lifetime management.
Cost of Blood Transfusion in Cats
Depending on several factors (including the blood type, age, and overall health of the cat), the price of a blood transfusion can vary quite drastically. Most healthy cats can expect a cost of roughly $500 for the full service of blood type determination, sedation, and transfusion, whilst the price for more infirm animals can be much higher.
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Cat Blood Transfusion Considerations
While a blood transfusion can be a critically important factor in saving an animal's life, there are some potential drawbacks that owners should be aware of. The first is the risk of the transmission of infections from a donor animal to the recipient. Although rare and avoidable with proper screening, there is a small chance of cross-contamination occurring. Second is the risk of an immune system reaction to new blood, such as a fever or digestive discomfort - though unusual, this can have a large impact on the health of an animal that is already sick.
Blood Transfusion Prevention in Cats
Whilst autoimmune diseases are by and large hereditary, there are some methods that cat owners can use to prevent a situation in which a blood transfusion may be necessary. One of the main things that owners can do is to feed their animal a rich and healthy diet. Most anemia is caused by iron deficiency and by ensuring their pet is getting good quality, nutritious food, owners can prevent most forms of the condition from setting in. The other big factor is to properly train and socialize the cat other animals live on the property. By preventing rivalries with larger animals (i.e. dogs) from developing, owners can mitigate much of the risk of serious injury from animal attacks.
Blood Transfusion Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
tabby
Eleven Years
22 found this helpful
22 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Anemic
Had a tumor removed - no cancer. is eating but losing weight, licks cement and has become anemic. no vomiting but will not drink water. is getting enough from food to urinate and have normal poop. is there another treatment for anemia besides a transfusion? do the symtoms point to anything particular as she is fighting an infection with orbax
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
22 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Anemia needs to be treated at the cause, and your veterinarian will need to find out why she is anemic. Transfusions don't treat the anemia, they just provide enough blood so that she can survive while her body recovers, if she needs one. Anemia can be caused by an immune disorder, a blood parasite, or a bone marrow problem - each one is treated differently, so your veterinarian may need to give different medications.
I hope that all goes well for her and she feels better soon.
Oct. 4, 2020
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Calico cat
One Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pale Pink Gums
Our vet told us we are out if options unless we go to a more expensive vet to do further testing,
Said she cannot regenerate red blood cells and don’t have enough left in her to survive.
What kind of cost are we looking at to have to taken to a more advanced vet
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
Unfortunately, I do not know where you live or have access to who is able to see her in your area. Your veterinarian will know who they are considering referring her to, and they would be able to let you know what the cost of consultation might be.
Oct. 20, 2020
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Tabby
Sixteen
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Anemia, Low Potassium, Ataxia
My cat has several chronic health issues: rhinitis, gastrointestinal disease, hyperthyroidism, mild kidney disease and a heart murmur. Up until 3 weeks ago, he was doing quite well except for the constant dripping from his right nostril. He was put on Budesonide for 2 wks. During that time, he stopped eating wet food. He'd been on a novel protein diet since May and now no longer is interested in that food. He does eat dry. However, since he's been on primarily dry food (not my choice, nor normal for him), he's now anemic and potassium deficient. Might a blood transfusion be helpful?
July 31, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
4 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. We tend to see the combination of anemia and low potassium with chronic kidney failure, and a blood transfusion would likely not help him. There are medications that can help with anemia of chronic renal disease, and with low potassium, there are supplements. Since I don't know the rest of his lab work, it would be best to discuss this with your veterinarian, as they know his whole clinical picture and can see what might be able to be done. I hope that things go well for him.
July 31, 2020
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Short hair cat
Three Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Rapid Breathing, Fast Heart Rate, Pale Gums
My cat was diagnosed with Cholangiohepatitis and spleen inflammation. He was on supplements for a while and now his liver condition is much better but he has severe anemia. He was on IV fluids and iron infusion. His RBC's raised from 0.9 to 2.9 after 4 iron infusions. Now he has breathing difficulties and has no energy to move. He is eating but his abdomen is bloated and full of gas. The vet is saying that blood transfusion would kill him. Do you think it will end the problem? Or just buy me some time? He has no immune system diseases
July 14, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
If your veterinarian is able to blood type your cat, a transfusion may buy him some time to see if his body will respond. Without knowing more about his condition, unfortunately, it is difficult for me to say if that is the right thing to do, but if you are not sure of your veterinarians treatment plan, it is okay to seek a referral to a specialist, or a second opinion. They will be able to examine him, see if there is anything else that can be done to help him, and give you their opinion.
I hope that he is okay.
July 14, 2020
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Cat
Tesoro
2 Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Licking Weird Things
Guess I should start with I noticed Tesoro licking the fireplace bricks rust on the cookie sheets dishwasher and the coils on the electric stove and attacking Diavolo and the dog and I brought him in Friday for blood work and a stress test.
Just got back from the vet with Tesoro. He’s very sick. His red blood cells are extremely low at 14% and should be between 28% to 40%. He is lacking oxygen needed to help his red blood cells grow where they should be. It’s causing him to attack Diavolo and the dog as his brain is imbalanced. He doesn’t have enough oxygen in his blood and it’s causing him to not breath properly. He will be going thru a series of treatments over the next 4 weeks including a steroid and hemp oil drops. Let’s hope for the best as he is as of right now dieing because his body is killing him. He starts the medicine tomorrow and will go in for another test Monday with a treatment. I just remembered that May 2nd 2018 he was stung by a bee and went to the vet for a few shots of medicine to help with swelling and inflammation from the sting. Could the bee sting have caused this.
Sept. 20, 2018
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Unknown
Henry
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Anemia
Lethargy
Panting
No Appetite
Falling Over
Bruising
White Gums
My mom's cat has very low blood counts and most likely got his anemia from blood loss that's related to eating a poisoned mouse.
Unfortunately we can't afford to pay for the blood transfusion right now... it is my hope that he keeps fighting so that I can get it for him after I get paid.
I have hope that he will survive but without the BT is that unlikely to occur?
He is taking Prednisolone and Vitamin K for now since those things are cheaper.
Kitten
Sparkle
3 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Anemia
Lethargy
White Gums
Distended Stomach
I rescued this baby kitten from the streets at 3-4 weeks old. She had pneumonia at 1 and a half months. Overcame pneumonia and was doing great. Then at 2 and a half months she started experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. Multiple visits to the E.R for oxygen and medications only to find out her RBC dropped from 30% to 13% in a matter of 2 weeks. Did a blood transfusion that cost me $2000. Little hope that she will survive as the vets think she might have the disease called F.I.P. No medications have been prescribed. Does anyone know of any medications that would help anemia or what can be the underlying issue if it’s possibly not F.I.P? Thanks. Well wishes to everyone else.
