Blood donations are needed for animals too and other animals are the source of that much-needed blood.
In South Africa where the biliary-carrying yellow dog tick is rife, transfusions are commonly needed during treatment of anaemia. Anaemia is a symptom of biliary, and biliary can be deadly.
In an effort to increase the supply of blood available, our Country Animal Clinic has a doggie donor list. Willing pet owners whose dogs qualify can then be called on when we have a patient in urgent need of blood. Transfusions are done right here at our clinic. Head veterinarian Dr Ingrid hopes that with enough donors listed, when the time comes for urgent transfusions she will have a selection of suitable donors to choose from.
Blood donations: who can donate?
Potential donors must be over 1 year old and sterilised. They must weigh more than 25kg, and have never had a blood transfusion or puppies. Their owners must live close to the clinic and be willing to bring the dog in for sedation and blood collection on short notice.
Handsome Alvin is a blood donor at Country Animal Clinic
The procedure
The procedure takes about 30 minutes, is painless and the donor dog will be monitored by veterinary staff for an hour afterwards before being sent home.
It may sound daunting but if your dog qualifies, he or she could be a lifesaver for another dog. Please chat with our staff.
