Emergency blood transfusion in piranga-tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria): case report

Abstract

Blood transfusion is still a tool not much explored in wild animal clinics. Among the groups of wild animals, reptiles feature the lowest amount of references available on this subject. This report shows a successful case of blood transfusion in an adult red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria). The decision for the blood transfusion was based on the results of physical and laboratory examinations, which have shown intense dyspnea and haematology values significantly below the limits of previous references for this reptile. To carry out the procedure, an adult and healthy animal of the same species was selected as donor. The transfusion was performed directly and a blood volume of 30ml (1% of body weight) was collected from the donor and sequentially infused into the recipient. Laboratory reassessment of the patient, 24 hours after transfusion, showed an increase in the total number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit. The conclusion was that the applied procedure was satisfactory for reptile in a critical condition.