Transfusions 101: Everything You Need to Know
When your pet faces a sudden illness or injury, every second counts. At McKinney Emergency Veterinarian Clinic, our skilled team offers life-saving care, including emergency transfusions, to stabilize your furry companion as we run diagnostic tests and evaluate their unique needs to determine the best course of action. Our experienced veterinary team is trained and equipped to provide your pet with the highest standards of care to ensure the best possible outcomes.
What Is a Blood Transfusion?
Blood transfusions are critical medical procedures that can be life-saving for your pet in urgent situations. As with humans, the process involves providing healthy, compatible blood from a donor. Your pet may need a blood transfusion due to various conditions such as severe anemia, extensive blood loss from an injury, or as part of post-operative care following surgery. After transfusion, we will monitor your furry family member to ensure there are no adverse reactions or complications.
Like humans, cats and dogs have various blood groups and blood types. We take extra precautions to ensure compatibility in blood types, particularly for cats, who are much more challenging to match with donor blood types than dogs. If your feline friend is not a candidate for a blood transfusion, we will explore different treatment options to stabilize their condition.
How Does a Plasma Transfusion Differ?
Plasma transfusions involve the use of only the plasma, the liquid component of the blood, which is rich in clotting factors, enzymes, and antibodies. It is critical and often life-saving for pets with conditions that impair blood clotting, such as those induced by rodenticide poisoning, which prevents the blood from clotting normally.
Plasma transfusions are also beneficial for treating other conditions like parvovirus in dogs, which can cause severe blood loss and immunodeficiency. They can also be used to stabilize pets with low blood volume or blood clotting disorders. For pets with toxic exposure or those recovering from trauma and surgery, plasma transfusions can significantly impact recovery times and outcomes.
Antivenom Transfusions for Snake Bites
If you live in McKinney, Frisco, Prosper, or the surrounding communities, it is not unusual to encounter venomous snakes, including copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes. Bites by these pit vipers can cause extreme pain, tissue swelling, blood clotting problems, and tissue death, with life-threatening consequences for your furry friend.
At McKinney Emergency Veterinary Clinic, we offer antivenom, or antivenin, transfusions to prevent complications and provide the best possible chances for a full recovery. If you suspect your dog or cat has been bitten by a venomous snake, do not wait. The sooner we start treatment, the better the outcomes for your furry friend. If treatment is delayed or the envenomation is severe, we may also recommend a blood transfusion to stabilize your furry companion.
Are Transfusions Safe for Dogs and Cats?
While transfusions are generally safe for your pet, they sometimes carry the risk of allergic reactions, fever, or an elevated heart rate. Our veterinary team works tirelessly to minimize your furry friend’s risk and ensure the entire process is as comfortable and safe as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, make sure to let us know.
Emergency Transfusions Near Me
At McKinney Emergency Veterinarian Clinic, we are dedicated to providing our furry patients with life-saving treatments right here at our McKinney practice. If your furry companion needs a blood, plasma, or antivenom transfusion to stabilize their condition, you can count on us for care and service that exceeds your expectations.
If your pet experiences an emergency, please contact us at 469-820-0233. We are dedicated to providing the best possible care to household pets in McKinney, TX, and the surrounding communities.