Abstract

Whole blood and blood components are administered to treat various life-threatening conditions, including blood loss, coagulopathies, hypovolemic shock, and failure of passive transfer. There is, however, minimal information available regarding dolphin blood types or blood transfusions.^1–3 Additionally, standardized crossmatching and transfusion protocols in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) have not been reported. Here, we describe crossmatching, collection, and storage of blood products for administration in bottlenose dolphins.

To evaluate blood compatibility between the recipient and potential donor dolphin, major, minor, and control benchtop crossmatch techniques were performed. A grading scale was applied based on the presence or absence of microscopic or macroscopic agglutination and hemolysis. These results were then recorded in a medical database for future crossmatch reference.

Donor blood is collected using standard venipuncture techniques and placed in 500 mL (1 pint) collection bags containing citrate phosphate dextrose solution (CPD) anticoagulant. The whole blood is passed through a filter to remove leukocytes and microaggregates, then spun via refrigerated centrifugation to separate the blood components. The plasma is separated using a plasma extractor and stored at or below -20° C with a 1-year shelf life. Packed red blood cells (pRBCs) and whole blood are refrigerated at (4 ± 2°C) for short-term storage of 21 days.

A dolphin blood bank was successfully developed, with emphasis on plasma due to its long shelf-life. Plasma is replenished annually, while whole blood and pRBCs are collected on an as-needed basis. Currently, U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program dolphins are routinely crossmatched prior to any major procedures with blood bank products or a designated compatible donor dolphin on standby. To date, one plasma transfusion, and one whole blood transfusion have been safely administered to two adult dolphins. Future work is warranted to further optimize and advance these protocols.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the staff of the Naval Medical Center San Diego Blood Bank for blood processing support. The authors also thank the laboratory and technical staff at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park for their training, advice, and blood processing assistance. The authors also thank all the veterinarians, veterinary technicians, medical records experts, and animal care staff at the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program that have contributed to this work.

Literature Cited

1.  Nollens HH, Burgess RL, Schmitt TL, St. Leger JA. 2016. Blood cross-matching patterns of killer whales (Orcinus orca). IAAAM 47th Annual Conference Proceedings, Virginia Beach, VA.

2.  Ridgway SH, McCormick JG, Wever EG. 1974. Surgical approach to the dolphin’s ear. J Exp Zool. Jun;188(3):265–76. doi: 10.1002/jez.1401880303.

3.  Myhre, BA, Simpson J, Ridgway SH. 1971. Blood groups in the Atlantic bottlenose porpoise (Tursiops truncatus). Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 137: 404–407.