Efficacy of Whole Blood Transfusion as an Adjunct Therapy in Severe Cases of Haemolytic Anaemia in Cattle

Background: In view of common occurrence of haemoprotozoan infections leading to severe haemolytic anaemia and increased case fatality rate in cattle in study area the present investigation was planned to evaluate efficacy of whole blood transfusion as an adjunct therapy in severe cases of hemolytic anaemia in cattle. Methods: Sixteen cattle suffering from one or other haemoprotozoan infections induced haemolytic anaemia and having haemoglobin values less than 5 gm/dl were randomly divided in to two treatment groups. Group A (n=8) cattle were treated with standard treatment of haemoprotozoan infection without blood transfusion while group B (n=8) cattle were treated with whole blood transfusion in addition to standard treatment for haemoprotozoan infections.Result: Clinical and haematological parameters revealed rapid improvement in group B cattle as compared to group A cattle. The survival rate was significantly higher in group B cattle (100%) as compared to group A cattle (62.5%). The haemoglobin and haematocrit values were also found significantly higher in group B as compared to group A at 12 hours as well as on 21st day post treatment. Thus, it is concluded that, whole blood transfusion could be used as an adjunct therapy to hasten clinical recovery and to increase the survivability in cattle suffering from severe haemolytic anaemia due to haemoprotozoan infections.