Effects of polymerized ultrapurified bovine hemoglobin blood substitute in anemic alpacas

Principal investigator:

Susan J. Tornquist, DVM, PhD, Dip ACVP
Oregon State University

With funding from the Alpaca Research Foundation, we performed a small clinical trial to determine any possible adverse effects of polymerized ultrapurified bovine hemoglobin (PUBH) blood substitute in alpacas. Our overall hypothesis was: Administration of PUBH to anemic, normovolemic alpacas will result in improved clinical and hemodynamic parameters without adverse effects on hemostatic, renal, or liver parameters. The questions we hoped to answer with this study were: 1) whether adverse effects are seen with administration of PUBH to anemic alpacas, 2) whether there is an improvement in clinical and laboratory parameters in these alpacas and 3) whether PUBH works significantly better than hetastarch, a colloid plasma expander, in normalizing these parameters.

The study included 6 normal healthy adult alpacas. After baseline information was obtained, two jugular catheters were placed. The alpacas had approximately 1 liter of blood removed daily for 3 consecutive days. The plasma was separated and re-transfused into each alpaca. When a PCV of less than 15% was achieved, the alpaca was given either PUBH or an equal volume of hetastarch intravenously. Samples were taken at times 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes post-treatment and once a day for 5 days post-treatment. Tests performed included body temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, CBC, PT, PTT, chemistry panel, blood gases, and central venous pressure measurement.

No adverse effects were found on hematologic, liver, renal, or coagulation parameters. Significant differences between effects of hetastarch and PUBH administration were not found. PUBH appeared to be associated with increased O2 offloading to tissues.

Publications:

Tornquist, SJ. Studies of Oxyglobin in an Experimental Model of Severe Anemia in Alpacas. Proceedings, International Camelid Conference, Columbus, OH, March, 2006.

Tornquist, SJ. Hematology of Camelids. Proceedings, International Camelid Conference, Corvallis, OR March, 2007.

Student senior paper:

Welch, James. Senior paper (will be completed before May 17, 2007)

Presentations:

September 8, 2005. James Welch and Jennifer Hohenlohe, 2nd year DVM students who worked on this study as a summer research project gave two presentations of their work at the College’s Research Day.

March, 2006. I presented the project at the International Camelid Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

March 8, 2007. I will be presenting the final report of the project at the International Camelid Conference in Corvallis, OR.

May 17, 2007. James Welch will present the final report as his senior paper presentation.