All About Blood Banks For Dogs And Cats

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.

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).

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.

Potential dog donors should be healthy, have no history of metabolic or heart disease or seizures, has a lean body weight of greater than 50 kg, 1-7 years old, should not be on any medication, except for heartworm and parasite preventatives. They should also have a good temperament, have been neutered and nulliparous, and have jugular veins that can be visualized and palpated easily and are current on vaccines. Because of the amenable disposition and high PCV of Greyhounds, they have been promoted as ideal blood donors.

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.

No preparation such as fasting is needed before going to the donation center. Canine donors are not sedated and the procedure takes only less than 30 minutes. Upon arrival, the dog is welcomed in and lifted onto a table. Shaving is done to a small patch of hair on the neck to expose the skin right over the jugular vein where the blood is taken. Then, the area is cleansed with alcohol and a needle is inserted into the vein. Upon insertion, blood goes into the needle, through a tube. Then it goes into the collection bag. Pressure is then applied to stop any bleeding after the procedure is done. Mild bruising may be present at the site where blood is collected.

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.

Now, there several animal blood banks that supply blood products to Veterinary hospitals. Fortunately, dog owners have a positive response to the plea for blood donations. Every year, the animal blood bank processes roughly 2,000 units of blood donated by dogs. The donated blood is then brought in to the bank at the Veterinary hospital and to the bank's bloodmobile, which visits Veterinary clinics and kennel clubs.

Other regional blood banks depend entirely on the generosity of caring people who enroll their dogs in canine blood donor programs and take them to scheduled appointments to donate. Canine blood banks hold drives to find new volunteer donors, just like the Red Cross and other health organizations do to encourage human blood donations.

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.