Products

The Canadian Animal Blood Bank is a national leader in animal blood banking due to the rigorous testing of every donation, rotation of our donor base, quality control expertise, and knowledge of transfusion requirements.

Our goal is to provide high-quality products that are available on overnight or faster basis in a way that is easy, knowledgeable, and efficient for busy veterinary clinic use. There is no standard for canine blood products—CABB is setting a very high benchmark standard.

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How-to Order

If you need blood products urgently, please call us at +1 (204) 632-2586 to place your order.

The easiest way to order blood products and transfusion-related consumables for non-urgent cases is by using our online order form. Orders requiring next business day delivery must be received by 2:00 pm CST Monday through Thursday to be eligible. Orders received after 2:00 pm CST or on weekends will be processed and shipped the following business day. If product stock is low, non-urgent requests may be placed on backorder. In this instance, an email notifying you of your order status will be sent following your order confirmation.

If you need transfusion advice on choosing the right product for your case or about how to administer the products, please contact us at 1-204-632-2586.

If you are a new customer of the Canadian Animal Blood Bank, creating an account is easy! Please proceed to New Customers to register. To register as a new customer, we will need you to complete your practice details and sign our terms and conditions. This should be completed by a senior member of your staff.

When you need blood urgently, you don’t have time to wait. The Canadian Animal Blood Bank has developed relationships with local veterinary clinics across Canada to act as emergency depot locations. Depot locations house transfusion products and act as a CABB distribution center for their surrounding community.

CABB Emergency Depots

Prices

The Canadian Animal Blood Bank’s Online Price List is current and up to date. Please note that the CABB reserves the right to update this price list at their discretion.

PRODUCT Price

Packed Red Cells (full size) >190 ml – Negative

Packed Red Cells (full size)>190 ml – Positive

$342
$240
Packed Red Cells (half-size) >90 ml <190 ml $214
Fresh Frozen Plasma (full size) >190 ml $274
Fresh Frozen Plasma (half size) >90ml <190 ml $192
Frozen Plasma (full size) >190 ml $241
Frozen Plasma (half size) >90 ml <190 ml $158
Canine Cryoprecipitate Concentrate $220
Canine Platelet Concentrate 50 – 60 ml $220
Blood Filter > 50 ml $15
Blood Filter 50 – 100 ml – Cital Flow $15
Blood Filter < 50 ml – Hemo Nate $18
Alvedia Canine/Feline Blood Type Quick Test (individual) (1-4 tests) $38.50
(5-20 tests) $36.50
(21 + tests) $32.50
EmMa Test Feline Major and Minor XM and Blood Typing $109
Alvedia Canine/Feline Blood Type LabTest Version (20 tests $460
Alvedia Coombs Test $40
IV bag Spike $3.50
Canine Crossmatch Kit $54.50
Dry Blood collection bags $37.50
Canine Double collection bags $48 x 6 = $288

Alvedia Cat/Small Animal Collection Kit:

Includes: Hemo Nate filter, how-to pamphlet, dry bag and anti- coagulant.

$70

Product Information Guides

Canine Red Cell Concentrate

Red cell concentrate is made from 400-450 ml of whole blood collected in the anticoagulant Citrate Phosphate Dextrose (CPD). Plasma is removed, and 110mL of SAGM Red Cell Preservation Solution are added leaving a red cell concentrate with a hematocrit of 0.61± 0.07 L/L. The red cells are viable for 35 days from collection when stored at 2-6º C.

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Canine Fresh Frozen Plasma

Fresh Frozen Plasma is made from 400-500 ml of whole blood collected in the anticoagulant Citrate Phosphate Dextrose Adenine (CPDA-1). Plasma is removed within 8 hours of collection and frozen. Shelf life is one year from collection date when stored frozen.

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Canine Frozen Plasma

Frozen Plasma is made from 450 ml of whole blood collected in the anticoagulant Citrate Phosphate Dextrose Adenine (CPDA-1). Plasma is removed within 5 days of the expiration date of the whole blood and frozen. Frozen Plasma (Cryosupernatant) is the by-product of cryoprecipitate production and has minimal fibrinogen. Shelf life is two years from the collection date when stored frozen.

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Canine Cryoprecipitate

Cryoprecipitate is made from 450 ml of whole blood collected in the anticoagulant Citrate Phosphate Dextrose Adenine (CPDA-1). Cryoprecipitate is obtained from Fresh Frozen Plasma that has been slowly thawed and the supernatant plasma removed. Shelf life is one year from collection date when stored in the freezer.

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Canine Platelet Concentrate

Platelet concentrate is made from 450 ml of whole blood collected in the anticoagulant Citrate Phosphate Dextrose Adenine (CPDA-1). The buffy coat layer, including white cells and platelets, is removed within 6 hours of collection. Platelet concentrate normally contains some red blood cells. Shelf life is seven days from collection date when stored at room temperature on a rocking surface.

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Roughly 70% of eligible canine blood donors in Canada are DEA 1 Positive. Recruiting enough DEA 1 Negative donors in Canada is a challenge. The Canadian Animal Blood Bank asks veterinary practices to stock canine blood typing tests so type-specific blood can be requested.  Not only is administering type-specific blood safer for your patients, but it also helps us to alleviate the pressure placed on the DEA 1 Negative donor population.
Canine DEA 1 Blood Typing Tests

Available as an individual blood typing test or as a LAB Kit test (20 tests included with a well tray).

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Feline A+B Blood Typing Tests

Available as an individual blood typing test or as a LAB Kit test (20 tests included with a well tray).

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Canine Crossmatch Tests

Available as an individual crossmatch test or as a LAB Kit test (5 tests per box).

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Feline Major & Minor Crossmatch Tests (Emma)

Available as an individual crossmatch test.

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Feline Major Crossmatch Test

Available as an individual crossmatch test or as a LAB Kit test (5 tests per box).

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Canine Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT) Test

A DAT is performed to detect the presence of antibodies against red blood cells and is often used in the diagnosis of Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA).

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Patient Monitoring

Every patient receiving a blood product must be closely monitored. We have developed a dedicated transfusion monitoring form that allows you to record all relevant information for the patient in one document.

It is vital to keep a record of transfusions. In the patient’s record, please include the patient’s blood type, the unit number of the blood product, product expiry date, date of the transfusion, and volume given. In the case of an adverse transfusion reaction, these details will be critical in our ability to support you. For more information on what to do in the case of a transfusion reaction, please visit our Transfusion Assistance page.

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Format: WORD | Last Updated: 06-29-2013

Patient Monitoring and Reporting​

Please ask us for further information about our Transfusion Reaction Form and the Transfusion Monitoring Form.

Payment Methods

It is our goal to provide blood products and transfusion-related consumables on overnight or faster basis. Urgent orders should be placed by calling us at 1-204-632-2586. Non-urgent orders can be made using our online order form. For product prices, please refer to our product price list.

Payment Methods

Invoices are emailed to the email address we hold for your practice when products are released. Payment terms are 30 days from the date of the invoice. We accept MasterCard and Visa, e-transfer, direct deposit, and cheques.

Cheques can be made payable to the “Canadian Animal Blood Bank Inc” and mailed to our central office at:

Canadian Animal Blood Bank
AB71-2055 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg MB   R3H 0J9

All other inquiries can be directed to our administrative team by emailing [email protected]

Product Issues

Temperature Monitoring

The Canadian Animal Blood Bank is committed to providing high-quality products on an overnight or faster basis. We perform frequent internal audits using single-use temperature monitors on shipments to ensure that our products have remained in the optimal storage temperature range during transit.

Single-use temperature monitors can be left on the blood product for 42 days, allowing clinics to continue to monitor blood products while awaiting use.

I have a Product Issue

If you feel there has been an error or issue with one of the products we have supplied to you, please:

  1. Quarantine the products at the appropriate storage temperature. Appropriate temperatures can be found in the product information guides.
  2. Call the Canadian Animal Blood Bank within 24 hours of identifying the issue.
  3. Complete the product issue form
Product Issue Form

Frequently Asked Questions

General transfusion tips

Crossmatching red cells with the patient is strongly recommended; patients can have a transfusion reaction even with their first transfusion.

Felines should always be blood typed and crossmatched prior to transfusing as they have naturally occurring alloantibodies.

​To avoid circulatory overload dosage calculations and flow rates should be calculated as part of the total 24-hour fluid volume.

Patients should be regularly monitored throughout the transfusion. CABB provides a transfusion monitoring form with every blood product.

All blood products require the use of a blood filter. Use a standard blood filter when transfusing amounts more than 50 mL. Microaggregate filters are available for transfusing amounts less than 50 mL.

SALINE ONLY! ​Never use Ringer’s lactate or other dextrose solution. Do not add these solutions to a blood product or run at the same time as the transfusion (even if the lines are in different limbs). LRS is not compatible with the anticoagulant used in blood products and will cause clotting and/or hemolysis.

Thaw or warm blood products at temperatures not exceeding 37° C. NEVER use a microwave oven.

Frozen blood products are fragile. Seams and ports may crack or split if the unit is handled roughly or undergoes a rapid temperature change. Enclose the unit in a zipper style plastic bag when thawing.

Blood products should always be administered using gravity feed or syringe push. Do not administer blood products through an IV pump as it can cause hemolysis.

The rate of transfusion is governed by the clinical condition of the recipient. Blood products may be transfused as quickly as the patient can tolerate it but should be completed within 4 hours with some exceptions. Rapid transfusion is essential if the patient is in acute shock from blood loss. Normally, a slow drip for the first 10 to 30 minutes is advised. Most acute reactions occur during this time period and the transfusion can be stopped before a large amount has been transfused. The rate can be increased if the patient is tolerating the infusion well.​

How should I handle canine donors who type as weakly DEA 1 positive?

All blood donor programs must consider weakly DEA 1+ dogs to be DEA 1+ positive for the safety of DEA 1- recipients. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to the blog post “What is the significance of DEA 1 weakly positive donors?”. 

What is the difference between fresh frozen plasma & plasma?

Fresh Frozen Plasma contains all blood clotting factors including the heat labile Factors V and VIII.

Plasma contains all blood clotting factors with reduced amount of the heat labile Factors V and VIII.

Fresh Frozen Plasma is used to treat a suspected or known deficiency or malfunction in clotting Factors V and VIII. It is also used to replace all clotting factors if a patient has had a massive bleed where its total blood volume has been replaced in less than 24 hours. Fresh Frozen Plasma is also used to treat disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Both Fresh Frozen Plasma and Plasma can be used to treat conditions such as parvovirus infection, coumarin/warfarin toxicosis, albumin replacement, passive immunity to orphaned neonates. In a case of parvovirus infection, Fresh Frozen Plasma should be reserved to treat severe intestinal bleeding.

Whenever possible, use Plasma if the patient does not require Factor V and VIII correction or replacement. This allows for a more efficient use of available blood products.

Remember: Always use a blood filter when transfusing Plasma and Fresh Frozen Plasma.

Fresh Frozen Plasma and Plasma are available in two sizes to suit the patient’s needs:

Full Size » 200 mL
Half Size » 100 mL

How do I crossmatch for red cells on a dog with auto immune hemolytic anemia?

Crossmatching a dog with AIHA is an extremely difficult situation. The patient’s autoantibody is coating its own red cells. Free autoantibody in the patient’s serum will attach to any red cell encountered. In most cases, a crossmatch is interpreted as inconclusive because the control test (mixture of patient’s serum and patient’s red cells) and all red cell units matched will be positive. No conclusion as to compatibility can be drawn.
When the decision is made to transfuse and the crossmatch is inconclusive, what is the blood of choice?

The dog’s blood type is known

Use donor blood of the same blood type. This will prevent the formation of an immune antibody.

The dog’s blood type is unknown

• Alvedia Quick Test can be used to determine a canine blood type (most card test typing is usually inconclusive for AIHA patients) Although DEA 1.1 negative blood is often a preferred choice, DEA 1.1 Positive blood is a viable option.

The development of immune antibodies usually takes about three days. If the dog develops immune antibodies to the transfused red cells, the cells would be destroyed at the same rate as the patient’s own red cells. The chills, rigor, and fever associated with a hemolytic reaction are usually not seen. However, the survival of the transfused cells would be short and the benefits of the transfusion short-lived.

What are the clinically significant canine blood types?

DEA 1 is considered the most clinically significant blood group in dogs due to its very strong antigenicity and risk of hemolytic transfusion reaction on subsequent transfusions to DEA 1 negative dogs. For a more detailed explanation and description of other canine blood types, please refer to the blog post “What are the clinically significant canine blood types?”.

How do I know how much blood to transfuse?

The formula for calculating blood transfusion dosage depends on the type and severity of anemia that your patient is experiencing. Click here to read more about the formulas used to calculate transfusion volumes for administration.

How do I treat a transfusion reactions?

Crossmatching will prevent some, but not all, transfusion reactions. If you believe that the patient is reacting to the blood product, use the following steps:

  1. STOP THE TRANSFUSION
  2. DETERMINE THE TYPE OF REACTION
  3. INITIATE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT IF NECESSARY

The symptoms of a transfusion reaction are similar in several types of reactions. Many of these symptoms may also be due to the underlying disease condition or patient stress. Recording the patient’s vital signs and conditions before starting the transfusion and regular monitoring during the transfusion will assist in determining if a reaction is truly occurring.

  • Permanently discontinuing the transfusion is not always necessary depending on the type and severity of the reaction.
  • Transfusion reactions are caused by immune or non-immune mechanisms. Reactions that occur within 24 hours from the start of infusion are acute reactions. Those that occur after 24 hours from the start of the infusion are delayed reactions.
IMMUNE REACTIONS NON-IMMUNE REACTIONS
Acute hemolytic reaction Disease transmission
Delayed hemolytic reaction Septicemia
Febrile reaction Air embolism
Anaphylactic reaction

Citrate toxicity

Circulatory overload

Hypercalemia

Hemorrhagic diathesis

Treatment is based on the type and severity of the reaction presented. Reactions can range from an “annoyance” level to life-threatening. Acute reactions must be addressed quickly.


General Rules of Thumb

Hemolytic reaction – Keep an intravenous line open with saline. Treat hypotension with fluid replacement. Induce and maintain urinary flow to prevent renal shutdown.

Febrile reactions – Administer antipyretics based on the severity of the reaction. The transfusion can be re-started if the reaction is mild.

Anaphylactic reaction – Treat mild anaphylaxis with antihistamines and re-start the transfusion if desired. Follow standard treatments for anaphylaxis based on the severity of the reaction.

What are the risks for patients receiving a blood transfusion?

As with administration of any treatment, there are immunologic and nonimmunologic complications to be aware of when administering a transfusion. Please click here to read more about these risks.

There are “things” floating in this blood component!

During the storage period for blood components, certain artifacts develop which are completely normal. This sheet will help you to differentiate normal from abnormal storage changes.

Concentrated Red Cells and Whole Blood
Artifact What is it ? What to do
Irregular clumps of white or off-white material White blood cells and platelet aggregates Use a blood filter when transfusing
Layer of white or off-white material floating on top White blood cells and platelet aggregates Use a blood filter when transfusing
Regular, entire white bodies Possible bacteria colonies DO NOT USE THIS UNIT. Discard into a biohazardous waste container.
White flecks resembling paint chips Fat Fat will dissolve into solution as the unit is warmed.
Visible hemolysis in the segments or unit Outdated or contaminated with bacteria DO NOT USE THIS UNIT. Discard into a biohazardous waste container.
Fresh Frozen Plasma
Artifact What is it ? What to do
Whitish stringy material Precipitated coagulation Factor VIII and fibrinogen Caused by thawing the unit in the fridge rather than in a 37° C water bath. Will be removed by blood filter.
Plasma and Fresh Frozen Plasma
Artifact What is it ? What to do
Milky white in colour when thawed Fat Not esthetically pleasing but safe to transfuse
Regular, entire white bodies Possible bacteria colonies DO NOT USE THIS UNIT. Discard into a biohazardous waste container.

Do recipient cats need to be crossmatched?

It is best practice to try to incorporate major crossmatch testing into the pre-transfusion plan for all feline patients when the time and resources permit it. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to the blog post “Do recipient cats need to be crossmatched?”. 

Can I give dog blood to cats?

When a cat is emergently in need of blood and there are no compatible feline products available, canine blood can be administered, but only once and with informed consent from the owner. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to the blog post “Can you give dog blood to cats?”.