Effects of Plasma and Hetastarch Administration on Colloid Oncotic Pressure and Coagulation Variables in Dairy Calves and Goats

Abstract

Background: Transfusion with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or hetastarch 6% (HES) is an option for managing decreased colloid oncotic pressure (COP) associated with hypoproteinemia. The effectiveness of HES compared to plasma has not been reported in calves and goats.

Hypothesis: Hetastarch increases COP to levels similar to FFP. There will be no significant adverse clinicopathological changes after administration of HES.

Animals: Seven healthy preweaned calves and 7 juvenile goats from university herds.

Methods: Cohort, clinical trial in a two-way crossover design. Hetastarch and FFP were administered intravenously at 10 and 20 mL/kg, respectively, once. Plasma COP was measured re-transfusion, at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36, 72 h, and 7 days after each transfusion. Coagulation variables were analyzed pre-transfusion, at 0, 24, and 72 h after transfusion. The effects of treatment and time on COP and coagulation variables were determined by multivariate analysis of variance.

Results: Transfusion with FFP and HES increased the COP in calves and goats, with FFP increasing the COP to a greater magnitude in calves (least square mean difference of 1.6 vs. 1 mmHg; p = 0.03) but not in goats (least square mean difference of 3.0 vs. 3.0 mmHg; p = 0.99). There were no significant changes (p > 0.05) in coagulation variables detected after transfusion with FFP or HES.

Conclusions and clinical importance: Hetastarch is an alternative colloid to FFP in calves and goats. Adverse changes were not observed in goats and calves after HES administration.

Keywords: bovine; caprine; hypoproteinemia; intravenous fluids; transfusion.