Could Your Dog Save a Life

Could Your Dog Save a Life?

Just like human hospitals, veterinary hospitals need blood donors too. Needing to give a sick dog a blood transfusion (blood from a healthy donor dog) is not a rare occurrence in veterinary practice. For example, if a dog is involved in a road traffic accident and is bleeding heavily, the vet will consider giving a blood transfusion. Or if a sick animal has a condition called immune mediated haemolytic anaemia (its own immune system destroys its red blood cells), it will need a blood transfusion from a healthy dog to buy them time for the treatment to start working.

We are looking to sign up willing dogs and helpful owners who would be available at short notice to visit the practice and allow us to collect blood for transfusion from their dog. There are a few characteristics we look for in a potential blood donor; they must be healthy, fully vaccinated, weigh more than 20kg (44lb), be between 1-8 years old, be calm and sit unsedated for the blood collection, have not been outside the UK, not have had a transfusion before and ideally be male (or female if they have never had pups).

The process of blood collecting and giving is relatively straightforward. The vet will examine your dog to check that it is clinically healthy. A small amount of hair is clipped from the underside of the neck, this is so that the jugular vein can be clearly seen and so the skin can be thoroughly cleaned. They are held steady in a comfortable position (some prefer to sit others prefer to lie). A needle is then inserted into the jugular vein and the blood is collected. After approximately 30 minutes rest and observation they are sent home (after getting a yummy treat!)

If you think your dog could make an ideal donor dog, please contact us and we will add them to the blood donor list.

Please continue to email your questions to laura.mckirdy@paragonvet.com or send me a message on facebook (facebook.com/paragonvets.pets). I look forward to hearing from you.