Information on Blood Banks For Dogs And Cats
May 10, 2008 – 11:03 amDue to the developments in Veterinary medicine, more complex surgical procedures are done on pets. Aside from that, there is also increased use of transfusion therapy to treat different kinds of diseases making the demand increase for blood bank programs. There were no animal blood banks before, so Veterinarians had to use their own pets, their staff’s pets, or even their clients’ pets as blood donors.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Blood banks collect blood from a donor and then separate the blood into components - either red blood cells, platelets or plasma. Red cells are given to a recipient that may be anemic due to trauma or due to a treatable disease. Plasma is used to build up blood volume when the animal is not making enough or is losing too much protein. Platelet-rich plasma is for those recipients whose platelets are depleted or dysfunctional.
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.
Other regional blood banks depend entirely on the generosity of caring people who enroll their dogs in canine blood donor programs and take them to scheduled appointments to donate. Canine blood banks hold drives to find new volunteer donors, just like the Red Cross and other health organizations do to encourage human blood donations.
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.
Tags: Pets
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