Multicenter Retrospective Study of Xenotransfusion of Canine Plasma Products to Cats: 14 Cases (2022–2024)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the indications, transfusion protocols, transfusion reactions, and outcomes of cats that received canine plasma products. DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive study from 2022 to 2024. SETTING: Multicenter study from one university teaching hospital and two private referral hospitals. ANIMALS: Fourteen client-owned cats that were transfused with canine plasma products and had transfusion records available. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Fourteen cats received 16 canine plasma transfusions. The reasons for canine plasma xenotransfusion were confirmed coagulopathy (7/14), suspected coagulopathy (1/14), oncotic support (5/14), and severe hypovolemia (1/14). Six cats were found to be coagulopathic based on pretransfusion activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT). Three of these cats achieved normalization of both PT and aPTT after plasma xenotransfusion; one cat achieved normalization of PT only, and one cat had normalization of aPTT and mild prolongation of PT posttransfusion (<1.5-fold elevation of the upper reference interval). The median volume of canine plasma products administered was 11.35 mL/kg (range: 5.25-31.9), and the median time in which the plasma xenotransfusion was completed was 3.9 h (range: 0.15-24). Only six cats received canine plasma products exclusively. Of these six cats, two (33.3%) were suspected to experience signs of acute transfusion reactions, categorized as acute respiratory distress. Five cats (35.7%) survived to discharge, six (42.9%) were euthanized, and three (21.4%) experienced cardiopulmonary arrest. CONCLUSIONS: Canine plasma xenotransfusions to cats can be considered a life-saving option in the absence of feline plasma products for the treatment of coagulopathies and colloidal support. However, the safety profile of canine plasma transfusions in cats remains to be determined.