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Animal Blood Donations


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#1 supermom

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Posted 19 May 2012 - 11:08 AM

In light of the recent attack on the K9 in Sacramento, Bodie, I started to wonder how the need for the blood transfusions will affect the local supply. I was wondering if the vets in this area have enough blood to continue caring for Bodie as well as their other charges. I imagine that a significant trauma such as Bodie's must strain the resources in the local area. I started looking up Blood donation for K9, and actually came up with very little. I was surprised by how little information and programs there are for blood donations of not just dogs cats as well.

I am wondering if anyone has their dog in a blood donation program? How many people are aware of these programs, and how many people would consider involving their dogs in a program like this; to help other dogs.

I found several sites on blood donation, and they mention only a few places in all of california where donation programs are. Many sites suggest checking with a local vet. I haven't ever heard of a vet promoting blood donations for their clinic or for a local donation center.

The most local K9 donation site is at UC Davis : http://dateline.ucda...il.php?id=12362
HemoPet is in Garden Grove: http://www.hemopet.org/products.html
This place (in Dixon) also handles blood donations for quite a few types of animals, the page is a faq page on K9 blood types : http://www.abrint.ne...r-recipient-has

Oddly, I am quite taken by the story of Bodie. I can only imagine how this is affecting the police officer who is Bodie's handler. As well as the officer's family. I hope this dog is able to recover with as little pain as possible. You can lookinto his eyes and think wow, he truly looks like an intelligent and soulful pup.

#2 Fowler

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Posted 19 May 2012 - 07:29 PM

Most general practice hospitals have no need for a blood donor program. Larger hospitals that have surgery departments, critical care specialists and ICUs have their own program, although there is a blood bank where blood can be ordered if necessary. Generally employees and sometimes clients pets are part of the program. I am a technician at the VCA where Bodie is hospitalized and both of my dogs are part of their blood donor program. They have been donating for about 1 & 1/2 years and usually go in every 4-6 weeks or so depending on demand. The screening process is expensive for the hospitals however they do not pay for the blood products that are obtained from the donors. Because both of my boys are 85#, they each donate a double unit each visit, and my understanding of Bodie's situation is that he has received somewhere around 4 units (give or take) My dogs donate that in 1 visit and there are multiple employees pets on their donor list. So you can see that Bodie will not be a strain on the supply. Cats are a little different, because they are more difficult to work on they need sedation or anesthesia to obtain enough blood. But in my experience cats need blood transfusions significantly less frequently than dogs. Hope I cleared up some of your questions! So proud of my boys even if they don't have a choice in the matter;-)

#3 mac_convert

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Posted 19 May 2012 - 08:01 PM

I have two Aussies if there is ever a need, but from your post it sounds like canines have a better blood supply than some humans. Are animals typed like we are?

Most general practice hospitals have no need for a blood donor program. Larger hospitals that have surgery departments, critical care specialists and ICUs have their own program, although there is a blood bank where blood can be ordered if necessary. Generally employees and sometimes clients pets are part of the program. I am a technician at the VCA where Bodie is hospitalized and both of my dogs are part of their blood donor program. They have been donating for about 1 & 1/2 years and usually go in every 4-6 weeks or so depending on demand. The screening process is expensive for the hospitals however they do not pay for the blood products that are obtained from the donors. Because both of my boys are 85#, they each donate a double unit each visit, and my understanding of Bodie's situation is that he has received somewhere around 4 units (give or take) My dogs donate that in 1 visit and there are multiple employees pets on their donor list. So you can see that Bodie will not be a strain on the supply. Cats are a little different, because they are more difficult to work on they need sedation or anesthesia to obtain enough blood. But in my experience cats need blood transfusions significantly less frequently than dogs. Hope I cleared up some of your questions! So proud of my boys even if they don't have a choice in the matter;-)



#4 supermom

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Posted 19 May 2012 - 08:42 PM

Most general practice hospitals have no need for a blood donor program. Larger hospitals that have surgery departments, critical care specialists and ICUs have their own program, although there is a blood bank where blood can be ordered if necessary. Generally employees and sometimes clients pets are part of the program. I am a technician at the VCA where Bodie is hospitalized and both of my dogs are part of their blood donor program. They have been donating for about 1 & 1/2 years and usually go in every 4-6 weeks or so depending on demand. The screening process is expensive for the hospitals however they do not pay for the blood products that are obtained from the donors. Because both of my boys are 85#, they each donate a double unit each visit, and my understanding of Bodie's situation is that he has received somewhere around 4 units (give or take) My dogs donate that in 1 visit and there are multiple employees pets on their donor list. So you can see that Bodie will not be a strain on the supply. Cats are a little different, because they are more difficult to work on they need sedation or anesthesia to obtain enough blood. But in my experience cats need blood transfusions significantly less frequently than dogs. Hope I cleared up some of your questions! So proud of my boys even if they don't have a choice in the matter;-)


Thanks for replying, Fowler. I used to take my dogs to the VCA on Greenback. They always were given great care.

#5 jtroiano

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Posted 19 May 2012 - 09:49 PM

Most general practice hospitals have no need for a blood donor program. Larger hospitals that have surgery departments, critical care specialists and ICUs have their own program, although there is a blood bank where blood can be ordered if necessary. Generally employees and sometimes clients pets are part of the program. I am a technician at the VCA where Bodie is hospitalized and both of my dogs are part of their blood donor program. They have been donating for about 1 & 1/2 years and usually go in every 4-6 weeks or so depending on demand. The screening process is expensive for the hospitals however they do not pay for the blood products that are obtained from the donors. Because both of my boys are 85#, they each donate a double unit each visit, and my understanding of Bodie's situation is that he has received somewhere around 4 units (give or take) My dogs donate that in 1 visit and there are multiple employees pets on their donor list. So you can see that Bodie will not be a strain on the supply. Cats are a little different, because they are more difficult to work on they need sedation or anesthesia to obtain enough blood. But in my experience cats need blood transfusions significantly less frequently than dogs. Hope I cleared up some of your questions! So proud of my boys even if they don't have a choice in the matter;-)

VCA is awesome. I had a seriously ill, elderly cat that I brought there several years ago. They gave her excellent care. I am sure Bodie will get the same. Thanks for what you do.

#6 Fowler

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Posted 20 May 2012 - 08:27 PM

Dogs do have blood types, however there are more differences than similarities to humans. It isn't believed that dogs have antibodies to different blood types like humans do, so in emergency situations a transfusion can be given without typing or crossmatching. If a second transfusion is needed it is very important to type and crossmatch to reduce the risk of a reaction.

And on a side note, the doctors and staff at VCA SVRC are amazing! I started working there 5 years ago because I wanted to expand my knowledge and skills beyond general practice and have been lucky to work with and learn from the many different specialists who are a part of their team. It isn't for everyone obviously, considering that the care provided to animals these days is getting very close to parallelling human medicine.




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