Xenotransfusion in an African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) Using Whole Blood From a Domestic Cat (Felis catus).

Xenotransfusion with feline blood successfully stabilized a severely anemic hedgehog.

This case report describes the successful management of a 1-year-old female African pygmy hedgehog presenting with hematuria and hyporexia secondary to suspected uterine pathology. The patient was severely anemic with a PCV of 14% and hypoproteinemia (60 g/L). A modified slide crossmatch was performed using hedgehog and feline blood, which showed no agglutination, allowing for xenotransfusion of type A feline whole blood. The blood was administered before and during ovariohysterectomy surgery. Post-operative recovery was uneventful, though PCVs declined to 7% at 72 hours, consistent with a strongly regenerative response. The hedgehog demonstrated clinical improvement with pink mucous membranes and maintained appetite. The PCV recovered to 44% by 2-week recheck. This represents the first reported xenotransfusion of feline blood to a hedgehog. While this case was successful, the authors emphasize that xenotransfusion should be reserved for emergency situations when species-specific blood is unavailable. The case highlights blood transfusion as a valuable life-saving intervention for critically anemic exotic small mammals.

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