Facts on Blood Banks For Dogs And Cats
John Bear
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.
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.
It is recommended that all recipients be cross matched before receiving a blood transfusion to ensure donor and recipient compatibility despite the fact that canines rarely have isoantibodies against other blood types.
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.
As with human donors, screening is done to the animal donor's blood for metabolic and infectious diseases after blood type determination. The following labs are done: 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.
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.
Dogs are compensated as soon as they have made their donation. In addition to hugs and belly rubs, they're rewarded with gifts and treats that vary from program to program. After the first donation, a dog often gets a tag, which identifies him or her as a blood donor. Edible rewards might include dog biscuits and bottled water, a jar of baby food, or a can of dog food. Some donors may even get brand new toys. At some blood banks, dogs go home wearing cool donor bandanas. In a number of programs, they also receive a large bag of dog food with each donation. This is obviously a great benefit for their owners as well.
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.
Do you have a friendly, healthy dog that fits the average weight and age requirements to be a donor volunteer? Would you like your dog save the lives of other dogs? Check the location of regional blood banks for dogs and cats or the list of Veterinary Hospitals and University Veterinary Medical Centers that manage their own blood donor/blood bank programs. You can also contact the one 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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