All About Blood Banks For Dogs And Cats
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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.
Although dogs rarely have isoantibodies against other blood types, it is still recommended that all recipients be cross matched prior to receiving a blood transfusion, especially dogs which have received a previous blood transfusion to make sure that your donor and recipient are compatible.
The major and minor cross matching is the two types of cross-matching tests. If major cross matching is done, 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 cells may attack donor cells and reject them. In the event that there is a major cross-match incompatibility, transfusion shouldn’t be done. For a minor cross-match test, the red cells of the recipient are compared with the serum of the donor. If there is a minor cross-match incompatibility, only parts of the donor’s blood can be given to the recipient.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The blood donations will then be separated into the different blood components - red blood cells, platelets and plasma to be used for both emergency and pre-planned transfusions. The red blood cells are given to recipients suffering from anemia that may be due to trauma or a treatable disease. When the animal is not producing the right amount or is losing too much protein, plasma helps increase blood volume. Platelet-rich plasma is for those recipients with decreased or dysfunctional platelets.
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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