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All About Blood Banks For Dogs And Cats
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.
Just as human blood banks depend on human blood donors, animal blood banks must depend solely on animal blood donors. Blood is species specific - dogs can receive only dog blood and cats can only receive cat blood. In addition, dogs have blood types just as humans have blood types. Dogs have eleven different blood groups and the most important one is the A1/A2 system. Dogs that have 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.
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.
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.
After the canine's blood type is determined and is acceptable, donors are tested to make sure their blood values are high enough and no infectious disease is present before blood is drawn as with human blood donors. CBC, biochemical profile, U/A, fecal exam, von Willebrand's factor, is done as well as 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.
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.
Now, there several animal blood banks that supply blood products to Veterinary hospitals. Fortunately, dog owners have a positive response to the plea for blood donations. Every year, the animal blood bank processes roughly 2,000 units of blood donated by dogs. The donated blood is then brought in to the bank at the Veterinary hospital and to the bank's bloodmobile, which visits Veterinary clinics and kennel clubs.
Other regional blood banks rely entirely on the generous and caring people who enroll their pets in blood donor programs. These animal blood banks hold drives to find new volunteer donors and encourage them to donate just like the Red Cross and other health organizations do to acquire human blood donations.
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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