Feline blood donation via cephalic intravenous catheter: A novel method

TL;DR

A new method for feline blood donation using an intravenous catheter is shown to be successful and less stressful for cats.

Contribution

A novel, less invasive blood donation method for cats using a cephalic intravenous catheter is introduced and evaluated.

Findings

Catheter donation was successfully used in 13 cats with minimal or no sedation.

The percentage haemolysis of donated blood was not significantly different between catheter and jugular methods.

The method is viable for cats that cannot tolerate traditional jugular donation.

Abstract

Feline jugular blood donation requires heavy sedation or a very compliant cat. Donation using an intravenous catheter requires less restraint and potentially decreases stress.

This was an observational study of feline blood donors at a veterinary hospital between February and June 2023. Blood donation through a standard cephalic catheter was attempted in cats that were anticipated not to tolerate jugular donation. The percentage haemolysis of the donated packed red blood cells was then calculated for catheter and jugular donations.

Forty‐six donations were performed over the study period. The catheter donation method was used successfully in 13 cats, of which eight were not sedated and five were mildly sedated with butorphanol and/or gabapentin. In four cats, a combination of jugular and catheter donation methods was used (all sedated). In 29 cats, the jugular method alone was used; four of these cats were sedated. The mean percentage haemolysis of the packed red blood cells from 11 catheter donations and 11 jugular donations was 0.21% (standard deviation: 0.11, range: 0.10–0.43%) and 0.20% (standard deviation: 0.14, range: 0.01–0.54%), respectively. These values were not significantly different.

Cats had been selected for a calm temperament.

Although not possible in all cats, intravenous catheter donation can be a successful method for blood donation.