Xenotransfusion with packed bovine red blood cells to a wildebeest calf (Connochaetes taurinus)

Failure of Passive Transfer in Camel Calves: 4 Cases (2010-2019)

Failure of passive transfer is a management concern for all ruminant species, but is not well described in the literature for camel calves. This case series presents four camel calves (Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus) referred to a North American veterinary teaching hospital for diagnosis and management of failure of passive transfer. Diagnostics utilized included hematology, serum biochemistry, and immunologic methods as described for crias. Management included antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and plasma transfusion therapies. Three of the four calves survived to discharge, and common diagnostic practices such as evaluation of total solids, total protein, immunoglobulin G, and sodium sulfite appear to be correlate to passive transfer status in these four calves. Xenotransfusion with llama plasma was well tolerated by two calves, and xenotransfusion with bovine plasma was well tolerated by an additional calf in this study. An additional work is necessary to develop validated breakpoints for diagnosis of passive transfer status in camel calves.

Xenotransfusion of Blood from Dog to Cat: Should Canine Blood Be Our First Choice for Feline Transfusion in Emergency Situations?

Despite the ability to determine feline blood types, the transfusion of canine blood to cats is still practiced in some countries. Xenotransfusion is effective—even if its effects only last for a few days—and is not associated with serious adverse effects. It avoids the need for blood typing, and most importantly, it avoids the transmission of intraspecific infectious agents, notably the feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Transfusion with canine blood is easier, quicker and less costly than transfusion with feline blood; it is less disagreeable for the donor. In the light of these arguments, when feline blood collected according to current guidelines is not available, in particular when the donor is not confirmed to be negative for the FeLV provirus, the authors consider it to be judicious to use canine blood for feline transfusion in emergency situations; this practice is preferable to inaction and to the inoculation of an infectious agent. Allotransfusion remains preferable in non-emergency situations as a treatment of chronic compensated anaemiae or if an appropriate donor (negative for FeLV provirus) is available. However, 2–4 days after a xenotransfusion, if a clinical alteration and a significant decrease in haematocrit are observed, a transfusion with cat’s blood confirmed to be negative for FeLV provirus should be performed. Xenotransfusion should never be used twice.

Preliminary Investigation of Bovine Whole Blood Xenotransfusion as a Therapeutic Modality for the Treatment of Anemia in Goats

Anemia requiring whole blood transfusion for appropriate treatment is a common clinical presentation of caprine patients to veterinary practitioners; however, identifying suitable blood donors in goat herds can be challenging. In other veterinary species, the practice of xenotransfusion, where blood from 1 species is transfused to another, is used in emergency settings. Due to their ability to donate large volumes of whole blood, cattle could be an ideal source for xenotransfusion of goats. In this study 2 healthy goats were transfused with bovine whole blood. The goats were then monitored for adverse effects and the presence of bovine erythrocyte post-xenotransfusion. Afterward, 15 caprine–bovine combinations were evaluated for compatibility via cross-matching. Both goats tolerated xenotransfusion, although transient reactions were observed. Of the 15 cross-match combinations, 11 of the major cross matches were compatible, and all minor cross matches were also compatible. While future work is necessary to refine this technique, xenotransfusion of goats with cattle blood may be a therapeutic modality for the treatment of caprine anemia.