In all 4 cases, the dogs were presented in hypovolemic shock as a result of intra-abdominal bleeding. Reasons for the intra-abdominal hemorrhage included 2 dogs with postoperative bleeding from the pedicles/uterine stump after ovariohysterectomy, one dog with postoperative bleeding after ovariohysterectomy/elective gastropexy, and one dog with traumatic hemoabdomen subsequent to falling from a high-rise building.
Dogs were resuscitated with IV fluids before exploratory surgery. In surgery, all dogs received autotransfusion of the intra-abdominal blood using a 2-syringe technique. The blood in the abdomen was aseptically collected with a 60-mL catheter- tip syringe and aseptically transferred to a 60-mL Luer-tip syringe. A 170-µm blood filter was then attached to the Luer-tip syringe, and the blood was rapidly adminstered IV. All dogs made uneventful recoveries and were discharged.