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The Twin Cities Animal Blood Bank (TCABB) was created by South Metro Animal Emergency Care (SMAEC) to supply area veterinarians with life-saving blood for canines and felines in need. Blood bank staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to facilitate your requests.
Meeting A Need
Advances in transfusion medicine, the growth of specialty veterinary practices, and increased client awareness and acceptance have resulted in a high demand for animal blood products. Before the Twin Cities Animal Blood Bank, area veterinarians depended on three national animal blood banks. However, when SMAEC was placed on a 12-14 week waiting list for a small unit of plasma, we knew that a local solution was desperately needed. After two years of research and purchasing the necessary equipment, TCABB was formed.
Breaking It Down
To minimize treatment risks and use its limited blood supply as efficiently as possible, TCABB separates each donation into component products. In this manner, a single donation can help up to 3 animals. For example, whole blood and packed red blood cells only keep for approximately 30 days - with clotting factor and protein degradation within hours - while plasma can be frozen and used for up to 5 years.
| Indications | Contents | Shelf Life | |
| Fresh Whole Blood | Acute active hemorrhage, hypovolemic shock, thrombocytopenia with active bleeding | RBCs, WBCs, plasma proteins, all coagulation factors, platelets | 8 hours |
| Stored Whole Blood | Anemia with hypoproteinemia, hypovolemic shock | RBCs, WBCs, plasma proteins | > 8 hours - 35 days |
| Packed Red Blood Cells | Increased red cell mass in symptomatic anemia | RBCs, WBCs, reduced plasma | Up to 30 days (dependent on preservative) |
| Fresh Frozen Plasma | Coagulation disorders, factor deficiencies, liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation, anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity | Plasma, albumin, all coagulation factors | 1 year - when frozen within 8 hours of collection |
| Frozen Plasma | Stable coagulation deficiencies | Plasma, albumin, stable coagulation factors | Up to 5 years - when frozen within 8 hours of collection |
| Platelet-Rich Plasma (Platelet Concentrates) | Bleeding due to thrombocytopenia or thrombopathia | Platelets, few RBCs and WBCs, plasma | 5 days at 22 degrees Celsius with intermittent agitation |
| Cryoprecipitate | Hemophilia A, Von Willebrand's Disease, hypofibrinogenemia | Factor VIII, vWF, fibrinogen, fibronectin | N/A |
| Cryo-Poor Plasma / Cryosupernatant | Rodenticide toxicity, coagulopathies of Factors II, VII, IX, and X | Factors II, VII, IX, X | N/A |
In addition to various blood components, we offer an assortment of other
products such as Oxyglobin, Hetastarch, various lab tests, Antizol-Vet,
and 6-way drug screening. Call (612) 750-1252 to request a complete
list of available tests and products.
The Donors
Meticulously screened volunteer donors help paws save paws by giving generously four times per year. Frequent examinations and extensive blood testing not only ensure a safe blood supply, but spotlights our donor's health as well.
Canine: There are 13 canine blood types, but only 8 DEA (Dog Erythrocyte Antigen) types are recognized as international standards. DEA 4 positive is considered the universal blood type. Ninety-eight percent of TCABB's canine donors have the universal blood type.
Feline: There are 3 feline blood types: A, B, and AB. None of these are universal; feline recipients must be a type-specific match.
Crossmatching: Crossmatching tests for antiRBC antibodies by examining for agglutination and hemolysis. A major crossmatch detects the recipient antibodies against donor RBCs; a minor crossmatch detects the donor antibodies against the recipient RBCs. All recipients should be crossmatched with their prospective donor.
User Friendly
Blood
products and/or supplies can be ordered at any time - 24 hours a day,
7 days a week - by calling (612) 750-1252. Our staff will
package your products appropriately and help you to choose and coordinate
the method of transportation (i.e., courier, taxi, staff member, recipient
owner, etc.). Prices do not include
shipping or taxes.
Invoices are included with each order. Visa, MasterCard, or Discover are accepted.
We are always available if you have questions or concerns about our products. If you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with setting up a blood transfusion, we will be happy to assist via phone or on-site. We also offer free seminars on blood components and transfusion therapies for you and your staff.
For blood transfusions:
- Warm refrigerated blood 20-30 minutes in lukewarm water.
- Always use a blood administration set or Hemonate filter.
- 0.9% Na Cl is the ONLY fluid that can be given concurrently with a blood transfusion.
- The goal is to increase PCV approximately 10% - not back to normal.
- Monitor closely for the first 30 minutes.
For plasma transfusions:
- Thaw frozen plasma in lukewarm water. Handle frozen units with care; they will break open with rough handling.
- Always use a blood administration set or Hemonate filter.
- 0.9% Na Cl is the ONLY fluid that can be given concurrently with a plasma transfusion.
- Monitor closely for 30 minutes.
Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Reaction:
| Intravascular hemolysis due to pre-existing antibodies | Extravascular hemolysis can occur up to 21 days post-transfusion due to antibodies produced by recipient | ||
Signs |
Signs include increased temperature, tachycardia, dyspnea, weakness, emesis, hypotension, muscle tremors, collapse, hemoglobinuria, and hemoglobinemia. | Signs are usually subclinical, such as gradual decrease in PCV, fever, anorexia, and decreased RBC life span. Similar, but milder forms of acute hemolytic reactions can also be seen. | |
Treatment |
Stop transfusion, treat symptomatically and for shock. Administer IV fluids and monitor blood pressure and glucocorticoids. | Treat symptomatically as needed; therapy usually not required. | |
Complications |
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation, shock, renal damage | N/A |
Immune-Mediated Non-Hemolytic Reaction:
This is the most common type of transfusion reaction due to antibodies to WBCs, platelets, and plasma proteins causing hypersensitivity. These reactions are usually transient and not life-threatening. Clinical signs include anaphylaxis, hives, pruritis, erythema, edema, pyrexia, neurological signs, emesis, and dyspnea. Treatments include antihistamines, glucocorticoids, or, if severe, epinepherine. If clinical signs are mild, slow the rate of transfusion after treatment.
Non-immune mediated reactions can be caused by several factors:
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If you suspect a reaction and cannot determine the cause:
- Stop the transfusion!
- Double-check the donor and recipient information.
- Collect and test blood and urine samples from the recipient.
- Repeat blood typing and crossmatching.
- Perform gram stain and culture of donor unit.
- Auscult the heart and lungs, take thoracic radiographs, and monitor blood pressure.
- Measure serum K+ and Ca++. Perform ECG.
- Treat based on type of reaction and symptomatically.
The Twin Cities Animal Blood Bank is here to serve the veterinary community's growing need for animal blood products 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We would love the opportunity to meet with you and your staff to discuss our products and services. Therefore, we offer free seminars covering how our program works, the blood components we offer, and the therapies in which they can be used. If you have questions, would like to schedule a free seminar at your clinic, or want brochures to offer your clients, please call us at (612) 750-1252.
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