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.

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.

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).

There are two types of cross-matching tests: the major and minor cross matching. For major cross-matches, 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 may attack donor cells and not accept them. If you have a major cross-match incompatibility you shouldn't do a transfusion, unless you're really desperate. In a minor cross-match test, the recipient's red cells are compared with the donor's serum. In minor incompatibilities, parts of the donor's blood can be given to the recipient but not the blood in its entirety.

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.

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.

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.

The dogs are given gifts and treats after donating. A dog may get a tag, which identifies him or her as a blood donor, edible rewards such as dog biscuits, a jar of baby food, a can or a large bag of dog food and some donors may even get brand new toys or 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.

There are now several world animal blood banks that supply blood products to Veterinary hospitals. Most have been opened for business within the past decade. Dog owners have responded with enthusiasm to the plea for blood donations and every year, the blood bank processes roughly 2,000 units of blood donated by dogs 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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