[JNancy46]

I have been thinking a lot about dogs needing surgeries since so many people here have dogs that have health problems. I am intereste4d in having my dogs donate blood for the less fortunate. Anyone ever done this? How do you go about it? Is there a doggie Red Cross or do you just do it through the vet office?

[zueqhbyhp]

I think I remember seeing an episode of Cesear where a vets office had rescued a dog but were having a hard time finding him a home, so in the meanwhile they kept him at the office and used him for blood donations. So I think it is definitely possible, and if your doggies don't mind needles, sounds like an awesome thing to do!

[MzTT]

Most vet offices will do it, especially ER vets. Usually the animals giving blood are sedated then kept for a few hours after they give blood to make sure they're ok. Some of the cats at the SPCA I volunteer at are blood donors too

[Tusethede]

This is who lily and are are going to go through, I want to wait until she's mature though, even though she's technically old enough.
http://www.evbb.com/index.html

[Jenisoisy]

MJJean.My only suggestion is talk to your vet about it.Make sure the dog/s you wish to use for blood donation are healthy.I think they have to be above a certain weight/size as well.I know they used to commonly use greyhounds for the procedure as they are supposedly predominantly ''universal blood'' types and the right size for it.

Here is some info on canine blood donations.........
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32483.asp


Here is a canine blood bank that may be near you........

http://www.midwestabs.com/index.htm

[Jorcelirl]

Not sure where in Michigan you are, but my mom volunteered here. Gives info on dogs that can donate blood.
http://midwestabs.com/index.htm

[JNancy46]

I checked out the sites, thanks! Rita will not be able to donate because of the murmur. Ike should be able to donate and Owen will be able to when he is older. Yay!

[Ifroham4]

My dog donates blood about once a month at a local veterinary teaching hospital. He is the universal blood type. They did a complete blood panel on his first visit to make sure he was healthy enough, valued at about $300 alone. He gets free flea/tick/heartworm preventative and after his next visit on Tuesday he'll receive free blood transfusions for life should anything happen to him such as a car accident or whatever.

He really enjoys going, they give him a TON of treats while he is donating and send him home with a huge goodie bag. Their basic rules are the dog must be between 1 year and 8 years old, never been pregnant, over 55 lbs and healthy (which they figure out with the initial blood screening which is free to anyone willing to donate).

[JNancy46]

Why never been pregnant? I didn't see any mention of that on the sites I looked at. Does some hormonal change happen in the blood or something after pregnancy and that makes them unable to donate?

Ike has never been pregnant and I doubt Owen will be, just curious

---------- Post added at 08:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 AM ----------

Oh, and how does donation work? I read they use a vein in the neck and the donation takes 25 minutes. How do you keep the dog still for that long? Mine squirm,lol.

[Tusethede]

We did a blood transfusion where I worked before. Just a simple jugular stick into a bag. The dog stayed still the whole time. Usually, as long as the needle's in there, the dogs stay still, it's the getting it in and taking it out where they have a problem.

[Jenisoisy]

Why never been pregnant? I didn't see any mention of that on the sites I looked at. Does some hormonal change happen in the blood or something after pregnancy and that makes them unable to donate?

Ike has never been pregnant and I doubt Owen will be, just curious

---------- Post added at 08:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 AM ----------

Oh, and how does donation work? I read they use a vein in the neck and the donation takes 25 minutes. How do you keep the dog still for that long? Mine squirm,lol.

I am guessing canine STDs.I know in human blood donation they screen for STDs,and ask a detailed reproductive/social history.(how many partners,were you ever STD positive,are you doing any ''at risk'' behaviours,have you had children or been pregnant,etc)

For human blood donor,I have seen someone take around 20 minutes,I average out at about 10-15 minutes for a bag.Garilynn(who also donates) averages 8- 10 minutes to fill a bag. It depends on the individual how long it takes.

[viagbloggerz]

Just gotta chime in!

Stop by the Red Cross and let them take a pint from your arm as well! I didn't know my dogs could donate, but I do every two months. Humans need blood too!

Thanks for the post! I didn't know that there was any organized blood collecting for dogs. In this area, a lot of dogs owned by veterinarians do more than their share of donating!

Time for my dogs to pitch in too!

[Ifroham4]

Why never been pregnant? I didn't see any mention of that on the sites I looked at. Does some hormonal change happen in the blood or something after pregnancy and that makes them unable to donate?

Ike has never been pregnant and I doubt Owen will be, just curious

---------- Post added at 08:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 AM ----------

Oh, and how does donation work? I read they use a vein in the neck and the donation takes 25 minutes. How do you keep the dog still for that long? Mine squirm,lol.

Yeah, I assume it must be STDs, but I never asked. I have a male dog.

Basically I go in there with my dog and they get friendly with him by giving him lots of treats. I fill out a questionnaire in the waiting room before this, and they weigh him every time to make sure he is over 60 lbs. They give him a brief look over, ask a few questions. They take his temperature too. The donation process is handled by two techs, I just sit next to my dog and talk to him. One tech sits in a chair with my dog between her legs and simply keeps his head up and lifted. The other tech shaves a small square of fur off the his neck and sticks the needle in the jugular. The whole visit takes maybe 20 minutes, and his donation lasts probably six to eight minutes. My dog doesn't like being restrained at all, and he manages to remain sitting the whole time. The tech are very good about what they do, and have a lot of patience. I thought he was being unruly during the initial screening and they said "Oh no, he is doing great for the first time!"

My dog has very strong blood pressure and an even stronger neck lol The first time he donated they actually had to stop early because he tightened his neck to much they lost the vein, and his muscles kept forcing the needle out.

---------- Post added at 09:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 AM ----------

Here are pictures of donations at the place I go:









And when a dog donates five times or more, they get a tag stating their blood type!