ONE WEEK UNTIL DELIVERY
Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) arrived (via over night delivery) today.
FFP is the non-red blood cell portion of whole blood. It is obtained via centrifugation, and frozen to preserve its immunoglobins and coagulation factors. FFP also contains fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and proteins in the same concentrations found in circulation.
Most people are familiar with FFP as a product given intravenously to treat a variety of clotting factors. What many don't know is that given orally or intraperitoneally, FFP is a source of globulins (plasma antibodies) which can help protect newborn puppies against common infectious diseases and boost the effects of mom's colostrum. It's been found that puppies given FFP within the first 24 hours of delivery tend to gain weight more rapidly during the first week are healthier and more robust .
It's possible to administer the FFP orally because within the first 24-36 hours of life, the gastrointestinal tract absorbs proteins directly into the bloodstream (they are not digested). Basically we're taking advantage of the puppies' natural physiology that allows it to absorb colostrum from the dam.
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