Information on Blood Banks For Dogs And Cats | Pets and Animals

By JohnBear
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With advances in veterinary medicine, more complex surgical procedures are being performed on our beloved pets. Thus, there is an increased need for blood bank programs to supply life-saving blood components. In the past, Veterinarians had to use their own dogs, dogs owned by their staff, or even dogs borrowed from their clients as blood donors in the absence of animal blood banks.

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.

Dogs rarely have isoantibodies against other blood types, so in most cases, it is practically safe to give a dog a blood transfusion without blood typing the donor and recipient or crossmatching prior to the transfusion. Despite this, it is still recommended that all recipients be crossmatched prior to receiving a blood transfusion (especially dogs which have received a previous blood transfusion).

Cross-matching tests can either be major or minor. The donor's red blood cells are mixed with serum from the recipient in a major cross match test. It is observed if a reaction occurs. There is a possibility that the recipient's blood cells may attack donor cells and not accept them. Unless desperately needed, transfusion should not be done if there is a major cross-match incompatibility. The red cells of the recipient are compared with the donor's serum in a minor cross-match test. Only parts of the donor's blood can be given to the recipient, not the blood in its entirety, if there is a minor cross-match incompatibility.

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.

Once a canine's blood type is determined and is acceptable, screening is done for metabolic and infectious diseases: CBC, biochemical profile, U/A, fecal exam, von Willebrand's factor, and testing for Dirofilaria immiti, Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, B. gibsoni, Brucella canis (in intact or previously bred dogs), and Bartonella.

Blood donation takes more or less 30 minutes. Prior to going to the donation center, special preparations like fasting is not required, sedation of donors is not also necessary. During the blood donation, the donor is put on a table. In order to expose the skin over the vein to be punctured, there is a need to shave a small patch of hair on the neck. Then the area is cleansed with alcohol. Inserting a needle into the jugular vein, which is a large vein in the neck, collects blood. The blood that goes into the needle goes through a tube, and then it is collected into the collection bag. After the procedure, pressure is applied on the punctured site to stop any bleeding; a mild bruise may be present at the site.

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.

After the collection, the different blood components - red cells, plasma, and platelets will be separated. Anemic recipients are given red cells. Plasma builds up blood volume, thus it is given to animals that are not making enough or are losing large amounts of protein. For those recipients whose platelets are depleted or dysfunctional, they are given platelet-rich plasma.

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 would you like your pet to be a life-saver of other pets, and that they fit the requirements to be a volunteer donor, check out the where regional blood banks for dogs and cats or the list of Veterinary Hospitals and University Veterinary Medical Centers are located and contact the one nearest you. You can also inquire about animal blood donor programs during your next visit to the veterinarian.

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