With the growing demand for more surgery and the increased use of transfusion therapy to treat different kinds of diseases, there is indeed a great need for blood bank programs to supply life-saving blood components whenever and wherever they are needed. Before there were animal blood banks, Veterinarians had to use their own dogs, dogs owned by their staff, or even dogs borrowed from their clients as blood donors.
Animal blood banks depend solely on animal blood donors. Animal blood is specific to certain specie, dogs can receive dog blood only, and similarly, cats can only receive cat blood. Moreover, dogs have blood types just like humans. Among the eleven different blood groups of dogs, the most important one is the A1/A2 system. Canines with A negative blood types are considered universal donors.
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.
There is no preparation before going to the donation center and no fasting is required. Donor dogs are not sedated and the donation itself takes less than half an hour. The dog is welcomed in and lifted onto a table. Blood is taken from the jugular vein, which is a large vein in the neck. A small patch of hair on the neck is shaved to expose the skin right over the vein. The area is then swabbed with alcohol and a needle is inserted into the vein. Blood goes into the needle, through a tube, and then into the collection bag. After the blood is collected, pressure is applied to stop any bleeding and the donor is then lifted off the table. There might be a mild bruising at the site.
Water and food are offered to replace nutrients. The dog’s system starts to replace the blood immediately after the donation. Blood volume will then be back to normal in a day and the red blood cell count in 2 to 3 weeks. Strenuous activity should be discouraged for the next 24 hours after donating, just as it is with human blood donors. Also similar to human donors, there must be a waiting period of at least two months before blood can be collected again.
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.
Blood banks collect blood from a donor and then separate the blood into components - either red blood cells, platelets or plasma. Red cells are given to a recipient that may be anemic due to trauma or due to a treatable disease. Plasma is used to build up blood volume when the animal is not making enough or is losing too much protein. Platelet-rich plasma is for those recipients whose platelets are depleted or dysfunctional.
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.
If you think your dog could be a blood donor, you can check the location of regional blood banks or the list of Veterinary Hospitals and University Veterinary Medical Centers that manage their own blood donor/blood bank programs. Or you can contact the animal blood banks for dogs and cats nearest you, or ask your Veterinarian if there’s an animal blood donor program with a donation site in your area.
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