Successful Management of Jaundice in a Dog using Therapeutic Blood Transfusion

An adult 1.5-year old male Pitbull dog was presented to the Department of veterinary clinical complex, LUVAS, Hisar, Haryana, with a history of anorexia, high fever, deep yellow colored urine and itching on ventral abdomen for one month. Clinical examination showed pale mucus membranes with increased respiration rate, however, electrocardiogram (ECG) was found normal. The hematological findings showed severe microcytic hypochromic anemia, neutrophilic leukocytosis, marked increase in total bilirubin values suggestive of jaundice. Bloodsmear examination was found negative for hemoprotozoan. The animal was treated with a combination therapy comprising of a single dose of Imidocarb dipropinate (5.5 mg/kg, b.wt, SC) and Ceftrixone-Tazobactum (25 mg/kg, b.wt, IM) for 5 days. Blood transfusion was conducted on the second day to correct severe anemia Supportive treatment included antiemetics, hepato-protectants, hematinic, multivitamins, amino acids and fluid therapy. Re-evaluation of various blood parameters after 7 days of treatment revealed marked improvement.