Canine

Caniplas® is used for a wide variety of canine conditions. It is well documented in Veterinary scientific literature that normal Canine plasma may aid in the treatment of various conditions in dogs in which the administration of fresh frozen plasma would be considered desirable, e.g. severe Pancreatitis, Coagulopathies, hypoproteinaemia, major tissue trauma or surgery and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC).

Restraints
To be used by, or under the supervision of, a licensed Veterinarian. This product is frozen immediately after collection and is not pasteurized. The transmission of blood borne diseases is possible with the administration of any blood product, as is the development of serum sickness, but these are rare occurrences, in the canidae, with properly screened donor dogs. Do not mix with any other substance. Do not transfer to another container. Administer through a blood administration set containing a filter. Avoid volume overload. Complications are very infrequent but may include mild reactions such as tachypnea, tachycardia, restlessness and trembling. If these symptoms become severe, it is advisable to slow the rate of administration or to stop and restart in 5-10 minutes. If symptoms recur or persist, discontinue administration.

Dosage and administration
Thaw frozen plasma, using only warm water at 40°C as thawing in microwaves or excessively hot water can damage plasma. Warm to body temperature. Dosage is based on the body weight of the plasma recipient, verified by previous clinical experience, or by immunodiffusion or equivalent testing before and after administration, or upon experience resulting from past testing and treatment in similar circumstances. This amounts to approximately 1 bag (200mL) per 20Kg dog. Administer by SLOW intravenous infusion (5-10mL/Kg BW per hour) using a blood administration set, containing a filter. Avoid volume overload.

General instructions
As with all plasma products, this product contains an anticoagulant. However it contains no preservatives and donor dogs have been screened to be suitable as plasma donors. Keep plasma frozen until required.

Storage
Store below -18°C (Freeze). Do not refreeze thawed product. Store thawed product under refrigeration at 8°C. Thawed product should be used within 7 days.

Safety
No studies have been performed on the safety of the product in neonates, or its effects on reproductive performance, or administration at more than the recommended dose. Animals, which have previously been treated with blood or plasma products, or which have a history of Atopy, are more likely to exhibit hypersensitivity reactions following plasma transfusions. Parenteral pre-administration of antihistamines may be useful in reducing the severity of these reactions, should they occur. Minor cross-matching (recipient erythrocytes + Caniplas®) should be considered for animals with a history of receiving blood or plasma products. Exceeding the recommended rate of administration may result in signs consistent with Fluid Overload, such as tachycardia, restlessness and dyspnoea. Administration of Caniplas® without adequate filtration may result in signs consistent with Pulmonary Embolism, such as acute dyspnoea, cyanosis and acute distress. Administration of inadequately warmed Caniplas® may result in hypothermia. Pyrexia associated with administration of the product may indicate platelet incompatibility. Prolonged, immune-mediated Thrombocytopaenia is a rare sequel to administration of products containing platelets, and is usually self-limiting after a few months. Administration of product containing citrate to animals with compromised hepatic function may result in signs consistent with citrate toxicity and resultant hypocalcaemia, tachycardia, trembling, and weakness. This product is not sourced from SPF animals. The plasma is sourced from adult animals that are clinically healthy, thus lowering the risk of disease transmission.

Residue data/withholding period
As this product is not intended for use in food-producing species, a withholding period is not applicable.

Precautionary advice
Refer to Safety section.

Contraindications
History of previous hypersensitivity reactions following blood or plasma product administration. History of compromised hepatic function.

Side effects
Refer to Safety section.

Incompatibilities
No product incompatibilities have been identified.

Disposal
Disposal of empty containers, outer packaging or expired product by wrapping with paper and putting in garbage. Discarded needles should be immediately placed in a designated "sharps" container. The container should be of a type to reduce the possibility of injury to handlers during collection and disposal. Incineration is the preferred method of disposal; otherwise "sharps" should be buried at a suitable site, away from watercourses.

Caniplas® is produced from our own closed kennel of quarantined, healthy donor dogs, and is the first plasma product to be registered with the Australian Pesticides of Veterinarians Medicines Authority (APVMA) in Australia . Plasvacc has been producing APVMA Registered Hyperimmune Plasma for veterinarians in Australia and New Zealand since 1996,
for use in horses and alpacas.

Caniplas® Fresh Frozen Canine Plasma OR "home made" canine plasma?
There are some very important differences between Caniplas® and "home made" canine plasma - that is, plasma produced by a bag spinner, either from an outpatient blood donor or another source. Fresh Frozen Canine Plasma OR "home made" canine plasma?

	Caniplas	Other Plasma
Is the donor in good health at the time of collection?	YES	UNKNOWN
Is the donor free of any other viral illness?	YES	UNKNOWN
Does the donor qualify as a Universal Plasma Donor?	YES	UNKNOWN
Is the plasma tested and found free of any blood cells?	YES	NO
Is the plasma tested for sterility?	YES	NO
Are you protected against litigation, because the plasma is registered with the APVMA?	YES	NO
Are clotting factors intact?	YES	NO
Is the plasma immediately available, delivered to your surgery door by your wholesaler?	YES	NO
Has the donor dog NEVER before received a blood transfusion?	YES	NO

 

Remember
Plasvacc applies an extensive Quality Control programme to every batch of Caniplas® Canine Plasma - only then is it released for sale. Transfusion with other plasma, with little or no Quality Control, may be worse than using no plasma at all.

Some of the untoward sequelae of using other plasma are:

. Acute Haemolytic (Blood) Transfusion Reaction, Haemolysis, Serum Sickness, Jaundice
. Thrombocytopaenia
. Acute Hypersensitivity Reactions
. Transmission of disease (especially Viral Disease)
. Sensitization of the recipient patient to the blood group of the donor dog
. Not transfusing enough Clotting Factors, by using plasma which may not have been frozen rapidly enough, and therefore is of unknown (low) content Any or all of which could possibly lead to litigation! Use the only canine plasma available in the USA which has the assurance and protection of production under Good Manufacturing Practise (GMP) license.

Please note
Frozen bags of plasma are very easy to break. Do not drop. Do not handle transfusion ports before thawing, as they may fracture. Claims made on bags that break during transit cannot be considered unless the (empty) broken bag is returned to Plasvacc for inspection. Place bags in thawing water bath as soon as removed from the tamper-proof box. Caniplas® has an approved shelf life of three years.

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