Dr Francois van Niekerk
Humansdorp Veterinary Clinic
DONOR
Requirements
- Xylazine 1.2 ml IM
2. Lignocaine
3. 23g needle
4. Nº 10 or 15 scalpel blade and handle
5. Blood collection needle [4 – 5mm internal diameter, available from Instavet] or trocar & cannula of similar diameter. Large plastic funnel plus plastic tube [latter optional]
6. Container for blood [5 litre anthelmintic container ideal]
7. Anti-coagulant:
– Na citrate 3.8% solution [add 3.8g to 100ml saline, need 100ml of this solution per litre of blood, thus 19g Na citrate/5litres of blood]
– Therefore dissolve 20g Na citrate in 500ml saline per 5ℓ blood
8. Tourniquet for caudal neck
Procedure (Donor)
- Raise head of donor with nose tongs and bend head slightly to side opposite to that on which you will work.
- Coat funnel and tube with anticoagulant
- Lignocaine over jugular vein
- 1.5cm incision over vein
- More lignocaine in s/c tissue over vein
- Dissect down onto donor’s jugular [with care!]
- Grab vein with rat-tooth forceps and hold firmly
- Stab in collection needle/trocar
Note
3.8g Na citrate crystals = a slightly rounded teaspoon
RECIPIENT
Requirements
- High capacity giving set 10 drops/ml and/or flutter valve
- 12g 8cm IV catheter for administering blood [available from Lakato]
- Lignocaine [optional]
- Nº 15 blade [optional]
- Adrenalin [for transfusion reactions, optional]
Notes
– Extend length of breather pipe on flutter valve to avoid blood running out.
– Ensure flutter valve not perished, can tear on wider spouts of 5ℓ containers.
– Large bore blood giving set can be attached to flutter valve.
Amount of Blood Required (Guideline)
One litre of blood will raise PCV about 0.75%, therefore to raise PCV from 10% to 15% need
5% ÷ 0.75% = 6.66 litres in a 600kg cow.
Clinical difference between a PCV of 10% and one of 15% is significant.
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