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

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.