Author: Denzie White, Senior Nurse, ARH Woollongong & Technical Support Officer, Vepalabs
Ella, the 5-year-old yellow Labrador, presented to her regular general practice clinic unwell.
Her recent history included eating a loaf of bread (bag and all), so there was some concern for an intestinal obstruction. Radiology and blood results were inconclusive at this stage, so Ella was admitted to the hospital for supportive care.
Unfortunately, Ella’s condition worsened during her hospital admission. She had extremely elevated coagulation markers and was transferred for further diagnostic testing and intense 24-hour monitoring to the nearby Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) in Wollongong.
Ella presented to ARH Wollongong with abnormal coagulation, muffled heart sounds, a noted arrhythmia, tachycardia, weak and thready pulses and increased respiratory effort with abdominal excursions. During the initial triage of Ella, she was found to be in hypovolemic shock, secondarily to massive blood loss.
Ella had eaten Rodenticide.
Ella’s initial diagnostic tests included a manual packed cell volume and abdominal ultrasound. The packed cell volume had dramatically dropped since her initial test 24 hours beforehand. The abdominal ultrasound suggested she had internal bleeding due to Rodenticide poisoning. To prevent further decline, the Veterinarian concluded that a fresh whole-blood transfusion was required to give Ella a fighting chance of survival.
Ella had her blood tested using a Vepa’s Blood typing and coagulation machine (Quickvet).
This machine provided a swift blood type with minimal blood to preserve Ella’s supply. Her result was DEA 1 positive.
A blood donor of the same blood type was arranged. Typing candidates ensures the safety of the patient for current and future transfusions. The donor was a very handsome Labrador named Fury. He is a regular lifesaver at the Animal Referral Hospital. Fury’s blood type was tested earlier in the year using the Quickvet. His result was also DEA 1 positive.
The blood transfusion was performed and monitored closely. Luckily Ella had no reactions but still required intense stabilisation and treatment over the coming days. This included oxygen supplementation, fluid therapy, Blood gas monitoring via the EPOC and continued packed cell volume tests (PCV).
Close monitoring with the EPOC enabled regular testing of her rental parameters, lactate, HCT, and electrolyte levels, using only 0.2ml of blood.
After a successful blood transfusion and multiple days of intensive care from the dedicated team at Animal Referral Hospital Wollongong, Ella made a steady recovery and was able to return home to her family.
Ella has continued to thrive at home, and she’s now back to her normal cheeky self.
