Background Cryoprecipitate (CRYO) is a plasma component containing high concentrations of factor VIII (FVIII), von Willebrand factor (VWF), and fibrinogen. Because Greyhounds are reported to have lower plasma VWF and fibrinogen concentrations, their plasma may not yield high potency CRYO. Objectives To determine if plasma hemostatic protein concentration is a good predictor of CRYO potency and if a difference exists in quality of CRYO prepared from Greyhounds versus non‐Greyhounds. Animals Twenty Greyhounds and 20 non‐Greyhounds. Methods A 450 mL unit of blood was collected from each donor, centrifuged to prepare fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and processed to CRYO. Aliquots of FFP and CRYO were analyzed for FVIII, VWF, and fibrinogen content and factor recovery. Results A positive correlation was found among donor plasma FVIII, VWF and fibrinogen concentration, and CRYO factor content ( P < .001). Mean recovery was highest for VWF (67%), followed by fibrinogen (47%), and FVIII (37%). No breed difference was found in mean CRYO FVIII content, but CRYO VWF and fibrinogen were lower in Greyhounds ( P = .004 and P < .001, respectively). No difference was found between Greyhounds and non‐Greyhounds for the number of CRYO units meeting human blood banking standards. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Factor concentration in FFP is associated with CRYO potency, suggesting that prescreening of blood donors may enhance CRYO quality. Despite lower VWF and fibrinogen content, CRYO prepared from Greyhounds is acceptable based on blood banking standards for humans, indicating that Greyhound FFP does not need to be excluded from CRYO production.
Minimal research has been done to examine the cause of the positive results of animal-assisted therapy. This study examines the correlation between horse and human heart rate, an involuntary stress response, which may allow the mechanisms of potential therapeutic benefits to be further understood. Horse and human heart rates were recorded during equine-assisted therapy sessions, compared, and the significance of human/horse heart rate correlation was documented. Results indicate that each incidence of correlating changes in the heart rates appeared to be the result of external stimuli. Findings are discussed and recommendations for future trials with controlled environments are made.
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