All About Blood Banks For Dogs And Cats

Due to the developments in Veterinary medicine, more complex surgical procedures are done on pets. Aside from that, there is also increased use of transfusion therapy to treat different kinds of diseases making the demand increase for blood bank programs. There were no animal blood banks before, so Veterinarians had to use their own pets, their staff’s pets, or even their clients’ pets as blood donors.

Blood banks for animals depend on animal blood donors for their supply of blood products as human blood banks depend on human blood donors. Animal blood is donated to the specie it belongs. For example, dogs can receive only dog blood; it is similar to other animals as well. Canines also have blood types just like humans; they have eleven different blood groups. The most important dog blood type is the A1/A2 system. A dog can be considered a universal donor if he/ she has A negative blood type.

Although dogs rarely have isoantibodies against other blood types, it is still recommended that all recipients be cross matched prior to receiving a blood transfusion, especially dogs which have received a previous blood transfusion to make sure that your donor and recipient are compatible.

The major and minor cross matching is the two types of cross-matching tests. If major cross matching is done, red cells from the donor are mixed with serum from the recipient, then it is observed to see if there is a reaction. The recipient cells may attack donor cells and reject them. In the event that there is a major cross-match incompatibility, transfusion shouldn’t be done. For a minor cross-match test, the red cells of the recipient are compared with the serum of the donor. If there is a minor cross-match incompatibility, only parts of the donor’s blood can be given to the recipient.

Qualities for canine donors are: healthy, no history of metabolic or heart disease or seizures, lean body weight of greater than 50 kg, and 1-7 years of age. They should not be on any medication, except heartworm and parasite preventatives. Potential donors should have a good temperament, have been neutered and nulliparous, and have jugular veins that are easily visualized and palpated. They should also be current on vaccines. Greyhounds have been promoted as ideal blood donors because of their amenable disposition and high PCV.

After the canine’s blood type is determined and is acceptable, donors are tested to make sure their blood values are high enough and no infectious disease is present before blood is drawn as with human blood donors. CBC, biochemical profile, U/A, fecal exam, von Willebrand’s factor, is done as well as testing for Dirofilaria immiti, Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, B. gibsoni, Brucella canis (in intact or previously bred dogs), and Bartonella.

No preparation such as fasting is needed before going to the donation center. Canine donors are not sedated and the procedure takes only less than 30 minutes. Upon arrival, the dog is welcomed in and lifted onto a table. Shaving is done to a small patch of hair on the neck to expose the skin right over the jugular vein where the blood is taken. Then, the area is cleansed with alcohol and a needle is inserted into the vein. Upon insertion, blood goes into the needle, through a tube. Then it goes into the collection bag. Pressure is then applied to stop any bleeding after the procedure is done. Mild bruising may be present at the site where blood is collected.

To replenish fluids and nutrients, water and food are given. Right after the donation, the dog’s system starts to replace the blood immediately by producing new red blood cells. As with human blood donors, it is advised that strenuous activities should be avoided for the next 24 hours after donating. A waiting period of at least two months is needed before the next blood donation. By that time, blood volume and red blood cell count is back to normal.

As soon as they have made their donation, animal donors are compensated with various gifts and treats. They may be rewarded with a tag that identifies him or her as a blood donor, edible rewards that may include dog biscuits, a jar of baby food, a can or a bag of dog food, brand new toys and cool donor bandanas.

The blood donations will then be separated into the different blood components - red blood cells, platelets and plasma to be used for both emergency and pre-planned transfusions. The red blood cells are given to recipients suffering from anemia that may be due to trauma or a treatable disease. When the animal is not producing the right amount or is losing too much protein, plasma helps increase blood volume. Platelet-rich plasma is for those recipients with decreased or dysfunctional platelets.

Today, there are several animal blood banks in the world. They supply blood products to the different Veterinary hospitals. It is good that many pet owners responded with enthusiastically to the growing need for blood donations. The blood donated by the animals is brought in to the bank at the Veterinary hospital and to the bank’s bloodmobile, which visits Veterinary clinics and kennel clubs.

Some animal blood banks depend solely on the generosity of pet owners who enroll their dogs in canine blood donor programs and take them to their scheduled appointments. Animal blood banks hold drives to encourage animal blood donations, just like what the Red Cross and other health organizations do.

Do you have a friendly, healthy dog that fits the average weight and age requirements to be a donor volunteer? Would you like your dog save the lives of other dogs? Check the location of regional blood banks for dogs and cats or the list of Veterinary Hospitals and University Veterinary Medical Centers that manage their own blood donor/blood bank programs. You can also contact the one nearest you or ask your Veterinarian if there’s an animal blood donor program with a donation site in your area.