How does dog blood donation work? 

As dogs become more and more a part of the family, there is an increasingly and growing demand for transfusion therapy to treat many diseases. And with this, comes the demand for blood products.

Before the current rise in blood banks, veterinarians utilized their own pups and client family pups to help with the need. Now there are several blood banks that help fill the need.

Some of these banks house their own dogs for blood collection in on site kennels. These pups are primarily rescues whose time was running out at the locale shelter. Some are retired racing Greyhounds.

These banks use the dogs as blood donors for a specified amount of time, then look for permanent, forever homes for their retired donors. Other blood banks rely on everyday family pups (who we call heroes) who register as canine blood donors. They visit regularly for scheduled appointments to donate.

Some of these blood banks conduct blood drives, to create awareness and encourage others to contribute.

Dog blood donors - our heroes! 

Links to some great dog blood donor stories! 

Meet Winston, a canine blood donor

The Maxfield family got the call last February from Avenues Pet Clinic. "Can you have Winston come in in the next half hour? We have a real need for the blood." In the waiting room, Winston's owners ran into the people who owned the dog that was to receive a blood transfusion from the golden retriever.

Blood Bank Helps Bleeding Puppy

Binni, a 10-month-old Chihuahua, was referred for treatment to the pediatric and genetic service at VHUP by Trooper Veterinary Hospital in Norristown, Pa. The dog had developed a large, painful hematoma over his back caused by hemophilia, a common, severe, hereditary bleeding disorder that affects males. Transfusion of clotting factors can stop the bleeding and be life-saving.

2004 First Capital Challenge Winner - LifeStream Animal Blood Bank

It's every dog owner's nightmare: Rover, in an uncharacteristic flash of canine insanity, darts across the road after a squirrel and is hit by a car. After you rush him to the clinic the vet shakes his head, looks at you sympathetically and says a blood transfusion might have saved Rover - but there's no blood available.

Police dogs prepare to give blood

Scotland's police dogs have been registered to give blood to help tackle a national shortage.

How can your pup give blood? 

There are some veterinarians and animal hospitals that house their own blood donation programs. You may want to check with your local facilities to see if they hold volunteer blood drives.

There are requirements that have to be met for a dog to donate blood. Here are some examples:

• 1-7 years of age
• Weigh more than 50lbs
• Friendly disposition-able to behave without owner present
• Overall good health
• Not on any meds except Thyroid or heartworm/tick preventative

In addition, since health screenings are very important to the health of your pups blood, many donation centers and drives request that your pup be a regular donor.

The ideal volunteer canine blood donor is an easy-going, large breed dog who has the "universal donor" blood type. There are over a dozen blood types in dogs, but about 40% to 45% have a universal type. For Greyhounds, that's over 60%. A small sample of blood will be tested to check the type. Only dogs that have a universal blood type are used as donors.

Read more here about some common procedures and requirements for dog blood donation.

Dog blood donors in the news! 

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Dog Donor Blood Drive! 

Regional blood banks with resident donors. 

• The Veterinarian's Blood Bank in Indiana.
• The Animal Blood Bank in California.
• Hemopet in California.

Regional blood banks that rely on volunteer blood donors! 

• The Pet Blood Bank in Texas
• The Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank in Maryland
• The Sun States Animal Blood Bank in Florida
• Midwest Animal Blood Services in Michigan
• HemoSolutions in Colorado

A blood mobile for the pooches! 

In 1991 the Penn Animal Blood Bank in Philadelphia began an unprecedented undertaking; a specially equipped dogs-only bloodmobile. Staff and volunteers take the mobile to blood drives organized by breeders, dog clubs, veterinarians and others throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey.

The vehicle and blood bank help to make sure that enough blood is available to treat ill and injured animals at the School's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

The blood is brought back to VHUP where it is processed and separated into its components such as red blood cells, plasma and clotting factors. One unit of blood helps more than one patient. The blood and blood products are typed and matched to ensure compatibility between donor and patient.

If you are in the Pennsylvania area, and would like for your pup to donate blood, here is some information. A dog must be good-tempered, at least one year of age, weigh at least 50 lbs., be in excellent health and have current vaccination status. Those interested in having their dog donate blood should contact the Penn Animal Blood Bank at 215-573-7222.

Bark at me! 

mulberry Interesting, I had never considered this. Great lens! Posted March 07, 2008

JohannTheDog Thanks for the info 'Ask About Donor Policies'. It is always good practice to be informed about anything you participate in with your pup. We appreciate the advice! Posted September 04, 2007

Roxanne

What a great article! As the Operations Manager of a local community-based, non-profit animal blood bank, I find that my largest hurdle is getting the public to understand the shortage of the animal blood supply. One donation can save up to four pet's lives! Isn't that a great gift?

Posted September 04, 2007

Ask About Donor Policies

Not all of the "resident" blood banks have a fixed period of service for their donors, and adoption there is the exception - not the rule!

Be sure to inquire about the donor policies as the blood banks you do business with!

Posted September 04, 2007

Barkely What a great subject for a lens. Posted August 13, 2007