[momofalab]

Is this common practice? I have never heard of Dog Blood Donors before. I know there comes a time when dogs need transfusions. Yet what my old vet use to do, is borrow a dog from the SPCA.

When I went to the vets with Pitch the other day, they were looking for blood donors. There were requirements: Spayed/Neutered, on Heartworm meds, On Tick Meds, at least 60lbs, up todate on shots. Think that was it.

So it got me thinking.....do dogs have blood types, like us humans?

 

[nellies mom]

I'm not sure if they have blood types but a dog can take blood from any dog donor.

 

[Bob Pr.]

Yes, see:

http://www.austintabb.com/canine-blood-type.html

 

[momofalab]

That is interesting....!

 

[kiddsmom]

They're called pin cushions.

 

[Dani]

My vet uses his own golden retriever for blood transfusions when he needs one.

 

[justine]

Yeah, I've heard of it. MSU's vet clinic has a program for it and I was reading about it the last time I was there.

Here's what they want in order to donate: http://cvm.msu.edu/hospital/special...r-program/become-a-donor/canine-blood-donors/

The clinic gives them this in exchange for the blood:
* Iron supplements (oral) to be given at home twice weekly
* An annual physical exam
* Annual bloodwork, to include a complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry profile
* A $40.00 credit (to be used at the MSU VTH) or a 40 lb. bag of food per donation

Not bad!

 

[rayluckgoo]

Only once

You can give a dog blood from any other dog ...once... The receiver dog then builds antibodies to that blood and will clump if given that blood again. So if a dog needs multiple transfusions then the dog needs to be blood typed and receive the correct blood.
If its a live or die emergency than a veterinarian will use whatever safe blood they can get there hands on to get them through the immediate situation. But then the owner has to be careful and let every other vet know the dog has had a transfusion.

 

[YellowJakesMom]

Jake is a blood donor - so far his donations have helped 10 dogs

We go every 6 weeks, he lays down and gets cookies and the blood is sucked out him (literally, they use a vacuum device). Then he gets a heart sticker on his head, a toy from the toy box, and a bag of treats to take home - the nurses are SO nice to him!

If you live near a college of vet med please consider allowing your dog to be a donor, it's a really wonderful thing to do!

(Jake is DEA 1.1+, it's great to know your dog's type as well!)

 

[Luvmydog2much]

Ruby is a regular blood donor, everysecond time Rhys and I visit MSU, she comes along. They do not require the animal to be spayed or neutered.

 

[millstonekennel]

Black Jack and Hunter have been blood bonors a few time.

 

[YellowJakesMom]

Ruby is a regular blood donor, everysecond time Rhys and I visit MSU, she comes along. They do not require the animal to be spayed or neutered.

Good point, I don't think Penn requires them to be s/n either.