Canine Blood Donation

muddypaws

So proud of Riley today, he donated blood, and hopefully has helped to save a life. Second one of my lot to be a canine blood donor, he was excellent, just lay there and let it all happen.

Wilberto

muddypaws wrote: »

So proud of Riley today, he donated blood, and hopefully has helped to save a life. Second one of my lot to be a canine blood donor, he was excellent, just lay there and let it all happen.

I had no idea that dogs could give blood! Obviously, now that I think about it I can't see a reason why they wouldn't be able to, but I guess I've just never thought about it before!! Fascinating!! :)

aonb

Wilberto wrote: »

I had no idea that dogs could give blood! Obviously, now that I think about it I can't see a reason why they wouldn't be able to, but I guess I've just never thought about it before!! Fascinating!! :)

I had no idea either - should I start a new topic to ask about Canine Blood donors - how does one do it - at any vet or where? Ive got a very healthy young dog that I wouldnt mind trying this with - I used to donate blood all the time myself (until they refused to take any more cos I lived in UK for a year ) - and would love to think my dog could help save another dog...

muddypaws

Could a mod maybe start a new thread, about blood donation, rather than us discuss it in here? Its definitely something worth doing, I'd like to think that if any of my dogs needed it, someone would be willing to let their dog donate.

anniehoo

Muddypaws initially posted the photo above in another thread and it generated a lot of interest and questions, so I've created a new thread for any questions people would like to ask.

So, the first fact is is YES, dogs can definitely donate blood. Many people don't know that, but just like humans dogs also require blood in certain situations eg. hemorrhaging due to a trauma, certain strains of anaemia, blood loss in surgery etc.

Many vet practices are always looking for blood donors to be called in an emergency so it is worth giving your local practice a call if your dog fits the criteria. To donate 1 full unit of blood (~450mls) your dog will need to be 25kg or above, between 1 and 8 years old, healthy, fully vaccinated and not on medication.

In humans blood is taken from the arm. In dogs it is normally taken from the jugular vein in the neck as it has the strongest flow of blood. Your dog will either lay still on its side for 10-15mins or is sitting with their head slightly tilted upwards. A numbing cream is applied to the jugular area so your dog won't feel anything.

Like humans, dogs also have their own blood types termed D.E.A or Dog Erythrocyte antigen. The most common types used are DEA 1.1+ and DEA -. The negative blood type is referred to as the "universal" blood type and can generally be given to any dog without risk of a reaction.

In specialised centres with the correct equipment, blood is separated into its different components (red cells , plasma and platelets) but most vet practices only store whole blood as they don't have the expensive centrifuges required.

Dogs can technically donate once every 4 weeks and there are NO side effects to a blood donation. It's a really valuable thing to do and most vets are very grateful to have people on standby should they need a donor at short notice.

Hooked

Probably an obvious one... But I assume a dog would have to be shaved at the site of incision?

Our lad (like muddypaws') is a husky and hair took months to grow back (front paw, belly and scrotum) after a complex neuter - this would be my only 'issue' with donating.

muddypaws

Thats really interesting anniehoo, thank you. Riley was weighed today and was 27.6kg, so the vet did a calculation and Riley was allowed to give 430 mls. he didn't give that much in the end, as we thought he was going to be sick, they felt they had enough, so they stopped it, he gave 300mls. I was actually pleased they didn't go to the full amount, as huskies have been known to be over anaesthetised due to miscalculating their weight - their coat weighs more than single coated breeds, so their actual body weight isn't what the scales are saying.

It is a really worthwhile thing to do, Riley is my second dog to be a donor, and whilst I know that its the dog donating, and not me, it is very rewarding. He got two pigs ears and a bowl of dog food out of it, and lots and lots of fussing, so I think he was quite happy.

A lot of vet practices will give incentives, such as your next booster for free. As Anniehoo says, they need a list of dogs that can be called upon in case of emergencies, and I like to think that if ever any of my dogs needed it, someone would be willing to allow their dogs to donate.

Riley was fantastic today, he didn't need sedation, neither did Sky when she did it, he got a bit freaked out when they were shaving his neck, just the noise, the actual needle going in was no bother to him at all. he had a very short lie down when he'd finished, then was walking around looking for treats. he was fairly thirsty, but we were home within an hour of him donating and I had to put in a crate to stop him playing, he was raring to go.

muddypaws

Hooked wrote: »

Probably an obvious one... But I assume a dog would have to be shaved at the site of incision?

Our lad (like muddypaws') is a husky and hair took months to grow back (front paw, belly and scrotum) after a complex neuter - this would be my only 'issue' with donating.

Yes, they do have to be shaved on the neck, and it probably will take a while to grow back, but he doesn't care

anniehoo

Hooked wrote: »

Probably an obvious one... But I assume a dog would have to be shaved at the site of incision?

In very shortcoated smooth breeds sometimes it's not absolutely necessary if the jugular is prominent and the area cleaned well, but most of the time yes, especially in a Husky as they've such thick coats. It really is tiny though and barely noticeable once they have their head down/collar on.

Just another little fact. Red cells can be kept for up to 42 days refrigerated and plasma up to 5 years if frozen,so your 8 year old dog will be well into senior years and potentially still able to save a life. Amazing!

I had also had Beanie signed up to be a feline blood donor.He was called once but he didnt donate. So cats can donate too (under sedation though).

muddypaws

anniehoo wrote: »

Ibut most of the time yes, especially in a Husky as they've such thick coats. It really is tiny though and barely noticeable once they have their head down/collar on.

Thats true, my son came into the vet after it was all over, and he couldn't see the shaved bit until I pointed it out to him.

Someone at the vets today said that cats can also have blood from a dog - once, and once only, which is very bizarre, but the vet nurse confirmed that it can be done, not the best obviously, but in an emergency I guess sometimes you have to do odd things.

boomerang

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2397891/Rory-cats-life-saved-blood-transfusion-DOG-hour-later-purring-eating-biscuits.html

SillyMangoX

Amazing stuff! I'm fascinated by transfusions, usually put on duty to make sure there's no adverse reactions. If there are no donors available vets often will use their own pets to save another animals life, and in absolutely extreme circumstances I've seen dogs from the pound be donors before being PTS which is absolutely heartbreaking.

On a side note, that daily mail article is annoying me, not the content but the pictures "similar" to the animal in question, it's like talking about a white man in Ireland and using a picture of brad Pitt! Anyway I digress :P

Toulouse

I met a beautiful Presa X on holidays.

He'd been in a shelter in the Canaries when he was younger for a year before his current owner adopted him. In that shelter they used to routinely put dogs down after one month but he lasted a year due to two things. His amazing temperament and the fact that he was a big boy and they used him for blood donations.

Thought it was interesting that his saving lives in turn saved his own life until he could be adopted.

Edited because I just saw SMs post. Putting down a pound dog after using it for a transfusion? That's a bloody disgrace! Would be interested to know which council area and vets that goes on in. Are the dogs in question RB's? Althought we can't talk about it here so feel free to PM me.

Tranceypoo

SillyMangoX wrote: »

in absolutely extreme circumstances I've seen dogs from the pound be donors before being PTS which is absolutely heartbreaking.

Oh goodness, that's sort of bittersweet and quite poignant

bluecherry74

Well done Riley, good on ya dog!!!

How strict is the 25kg minimum weight? I'd love Henry to be a donor, but I'm not sure he'll reach that. I think he's about 23kg at the moment and seems to be finished his recent growth spurt, which will mostly likely be his last since he's just turned two.

SillyMangoX

bluecherry74 wrote: »

Well done Riley, good on ya dog!!!

How strict is the 25kg minimum weight? I'd love Henry to be a donor, but I'm not sure he'll reach that. I think he's about 23kg at the moment and seems to be finished his recent growth spurt, which will mostly likely be his last since he's just turned two.

As far as I know a dog that's less can 25kg can still donate but only give 3 quarters the amount, which is still helpful as small dogs wouldn't need a full bag anyway!

anniehoo

SillyMangoX wrote: »

As far as I know a dog that's less can 25kg can still donate but only give 3 quarters the amount, which is still helpful as small dogs wouldn't need a full bag anyway!

Yeah they can still be "small volume donors" if below 25kg. To give the full unit it's essential they're 25kg or above though.

Have a look at the info UCD provide on their blood donor clinic here

bluecherry74

Thanks for the info. I'll have a chat with my vet when he's in for his vaccinations next month!