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Giving fresh frozen plasma to a dog | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Videos

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In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education video, we demonstrate how to administer fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to a dog. Why do we give plasma, and when is it indicated? First, FFP should be appropriately stored in a temperature-controlled freezer. Plasma can be stored for up to a year in a frozen state, maintaining active coagulation factors, von Willibrand’s factor, albumin, and globulins. This product is labeled fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and is defined has having been frozen within 8 hours of separation from the red cell fraction. FFP is typically dosed at 10-20 ml/kg for coagulopathies. We generally do not recommend using FFP to increase albumin, as it is a very costly way of increasing albumin (e.g., 45 ml/kg of FFP to increase albumin by 1 g/dL).

If the plasma was not frozen within 8 hours of collection, or if the plasma has been frozen for greater than one year, it is labeled as frozen plasma (FP). FP differs from FFP in the coagulation factors present: FP contains only stable coagulation factors (Vitamin K dependent factors II, VII, IX, and X), and albumin. Therefore, FP is a great product to use to treat anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis or warfarin overdose.

When administering plasma, it should be thawed in a warm water bath (of approximately 37C or 99F). The unit should be double bagged in a plastic zipper bag to protect it from getting wet. FFP should never be microwaved to thaw it. Once the unit of plasma is completely thawed, it should be attached to an appropriately-sized blood filter to reduce the incidence or presence of thromboembolic events, cellular debris, and coagulated protein. Typically, FFP transfusions should be given over 1-4 hours, depending on the stability of the patient. Patients should be carefully monitored for transfusion reactions every 5-15 minutes during the first hour of the transfusion. Any reactions should be treated and assessed immediately, and the rate of transfusion should be slowed down while diphenhydramine and/or steroids are administered. When in doubt, don’t be nervous about administering FFP in veterinary medicine – it can be life-saving to coagulopathic patients!

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