Supplies for blood transfusions in dogs and cats.

As awareness of transfusion therapy grows, clients begin to expect the same standard of care for their pets as that found in human medicine. To meet this standard, the practitioner needs a familiarity with the basic tools required for blood banking and transfusion medicine. These tools and the terms used to describe them often are far from self-explanatory to those who do not work in a blood bank. This article attempts to clarify the nomenclature and define and describe the veterinary applications of blood banking and transfusion supplies.