Evaluation of whole blood transfusion in red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Due to the unique anatomy and husbandry of reptilian species, early signs of anemia are not easy to recognize even for the most dedicated owners or keepers. It is only when the anemia is acute or severe, or when other signs of an underlying disease become evident, will the anemia be discovered and treated. As in others animals, whole blood transfusion should be considered in reptiles suffering from acute blood loss or life-threatening anemia. However, there are over 10000 species of reptiles all over the world. Finding an identical species may not always be easy when in need for blood transfusion, making there no choices but to consider heterologous blood transfusions at times. There have been limited numbers of published researches and reports evaluating whole blood transfusion in reptiles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of homologous and heterologous whole blood transfusions for treating acute blood loss in reptiles.
Twenty red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) were divided into three groups: in group 1, blood of 1.5% of their bodyweight was drawn from the turtles, and they were left untreated; in group 2, blood was drawn from the turtles as described above, then they were transfused with cross-matching-compatible homologous blood 48 hours later at 1.5% of their bodyweight; in group 3, blood was drawn from the turtles as described above, then they were transfused with cross-matching-compatible heterologous blood from Chinese striped-neck turtles (Ocadia sinensis) 48 hours later at 1.5%of their bodyweight. Body temperature (BT) and heart rate (HR) were closely monitored during transfusions. Packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, and ratio of immature RBC were monitored in all sliders for 15 weeks.
There were no significant differences found in the value of PCV, RBC, and Hb between the homologous and heterologous transfusion groups at each time point. Nevertheless, in contrast to the heterologous group, PCV, RBC, and Hb in the homologous group recovered faster to the baseline values. Body temperature in the heterologous group was significantly elevated after the transfusion, suggesting a potential immune response.
Whole blood transfusion from a heterologous donor of the same family provides similar clinical therapeutic effect with that from a homologous donor in this study. However, homologous donor with a compatible cross-matching result should always be top priority before considering heterologous donor within the same family. And cross-matching is mandatory before both homologous and heterologous transfusion.