Just like humans, pets’ lives can be saved with a revitalising blood transfusion – but many animal lovers are unaware that their pets can be blood donor heroes.
“Some of our donors get too old so we are always looking to add to our pool,” said Gonubie vet Dr Gabriella Bazzo.
“When new puppies come to our practice, we mention the concept of blood donating because most people don’t realise this happens. Some owners are not keen, but others are happy to help.”
Bazzo said blood transfusions were most often required for dogs suffering from biliary or tick- bite fever, which breaks down red blood cells, as well as in trauma cases, when dogs have been injured in a dog fight or car accident.
She said that while bigger cities had dog blood banks, demand in East London was not great enough to warrant the storage of blood.
“We had a blood bank for a year last year and we sold to other vets, but because tick-bite fever is seasonal, there was not enough demand and so blood would expire,” said Bazzo.
The vet explained that although dogs had different blood groups, the most sought-after ones were DEA 1.1 negative and DEA 1.2 negative.
“We don’t identify types because it is fairly intensive and not cost- effective unless it is done on a larger scale, but those two are universal blood types in the same way as O negative blood in humans.
“They are like gold and most often found in greyhounds, German shepherds and boxers.”
In order to become a donor, dogs need to weigh more than 25kg, be aged between one and seven, never have received a blood transfusion and be fully vaccinated and dewormed.
A calm temperament also helps.
When an emergency arises, donors need to be rushed to the clinic where they may receive a light sedative before about 450g of blood is drawn via the jugular.
“The whole procedure takes about an hour, but it takes just 10 minutes to take the blood and afterwards they get rewarded with nice recovery food,” said Bazzo.
Other perks for donor heroes include free annual vaccinations and a general check-up when donating.
And, while there are both dogs and cats on the current donor list, cat blood transfusions are less commonplace.
“The risks are higher in cats because their blood groups are more complex and there is more chance they could react negatively. If we do three a year that’s a lot.”
Bazzo said canine patients often responded positively halfway though a transfusion.
Brave canine blood donors help to save sick, injured pooches’ lives
“Some of our donors get too old so we are always looking to add to our pool,” said Gonubie vet Dr Gabriella Bazzo.
“When new puppies come to our practice, we mention the concept of blood donating because most people don’t realise this happens. Some owners are not keen, but others are happy to help.”
Bazzo said blood transfusions were most often required for dogs suffering from biliary or tick- bite fever, which breaks down red blood cells, as well as in trauma cases, when dogs have been injured in a dog fight or car accident.
She said that while bigger cities had dog blood banks, demand in East London was not great enough to warrant the storage of blood.
“We had a blood bank for a year last year and we sold to other vets, but because tick-bite fever is seasonal, there was not enough demand and so blood would expire,” said Bazzo.
The vet explained that although dogs had different blood groups, the most sought-after ones were DEA 1.1 negative and DEA 1.2 negative.
“We don’t identify types because it is fairly intensive and not cost- effective unless it is done on a larger scale, but those two are universal blood types in the same way as O negative blood in humans.
“They are like gold and most often found in greyhounds, German shepherds and boxers.”
In order to become a donor, dogs need to weigh more than 25kg, be aged between one and seven, never have received a blood transfusion and be fully vaccinated and dewormed.
A calm temperament also helps.
When an emergency arises, donors need to be rushed to the clinic where they may receive a light sedative before about 450g of blood is drawn via the jugular.
“The whole procedure takes about an hour, but it takes just 10 minutes to take the blood and afterwards they get rewarded with nice recovery food,” said Bazzo.
Other perks for donor heroes include free annual vaccinations and a general check-up when donating.
And, while there are both dogs and cats on the current donor list, cat blood transfusions are less commonplace.
“The risks are higher in cats because their blood groups are more complex and there is more chance they could react negatively. If we do three a year that’s a lot.”
Bazzo said canine patients often responded positively halfway though a transfusion.
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