Risk factors associated with lipaemic plasma in a cohort of canine blood donors

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of lipaemic plasma in healthy canine blood donors, identify predisposing factors, including dietary links and provide recommendations to reduce its occurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 296 healthy canine blood donors enrolled in a university blood bank were prospectively included. Health was confirmed through physical examination and complete bloodwork including total T4. After successful blood collection and processing, plasma intended for fresh frozen plasma production was assessed prior to freezing by two blinded operators using a turbidity/lipaemic index chart (0 = clear to 4 = opaque with severe lipaemia). Plasma units graded 3 to 4 (lipaemic) were compared with those graded 0 to 2 (non-lipaemic), and generalised linear models were used to identify risk factors for lipaemic plasma. RESULTS: The prevalence of lipaemic plasma in the donor cohort was 11.8%. Key associated factors included timing of the last meal (3.64 ± 0.95 vs. 5.94 ± 0.63 hours, P = .008), especially meals within 4 hours of collection (80.56 vs. 47.69%, P < .001 OR: 1.15), dietary fat content (46.8 ± 7.93 vs. 40.8 g/1000 kcal ± 1.09), feeding a raw diet (19.44% vs. 3.88%, P = .001 OR: 1.37) and triglyceridaemia (2.26 ± 0.36 vs. 0.91 ± 0.05 mmol/L, P < .001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: To minimise blood product loss due to lipaemic plasma, pre-collection guidelines may include a 4-hour fast and avoidance of fatty diets. This recommendation is particularly relevant for dogs fed a raw diet.