Canine Blood Donations

[blabsforbullies]

Two of my 8 dogs are universal blood donors (meaning they can give blood to any other dog, but can only get blood of the same type ). To date, our blabador Colby has saved 5 lives (5 for 5 with times donated ), and our Mastiff Gracie Lou has saved 3 (donated 4 times). Parker donated once , and got a patient some good quality time, but he isn't a universal donor. Being a universal donor is rare, unless you are a greyhound!

[BullyLady]

Sirius is a universal donor too! They looooove him!

[blabsforbullies]

Sirius is a universal donor too! They looooove him!

Very cool!

[furever_pit]

How long does it usually take y'all's dogs to recover from the donation? It is something I would be interested in doing with Dylan but I also don't want to have to take much time off of training.

I think Dylan would probably be pretty good for this. He loves coming into the vet and he's gotten used to jugular draws since he has been my guinea pig as I've been learning.

[Patch O' Pits]

I tried calling several places around here but they all use employee's pets for blood donations.

When Patcheeno had to have a transfusion in March, I asked the e-vet if they wanted me to bring any of mine in to restock supply and or add to it, but was also told they used pets belonging to their staff and were not in need at the time. They did however say they would keep me on a list if needed.

[TheRedQueen]

How long does it usually take y'all's dogs to recover from the donation? It is something I would be interested in doing with Dylan but I also don't want to have to take much time off of training.

I think Dylan would probably be pretty good for this. He loves coming into the vet and he's gotten used to jugular draws since he has been my guinea pig as I've been learning.

I don't run my guys hard the afternoon/evening after a donation, but they're ready and raring to go by the next day. We usually donate around 2 pm...so I just schedule for days that they won't be training hard. They recover quickly...just like we do for blood donations.

[plebayo]

My dog gave blood once to a puppy with Parvo [who is alive and well!] We did give her some torb just to help relax her as the needle is gigantic and I felt bad for her. She did really well but my dog is used to the veterinary scenario and when you put her on the exam table she melts into a puddle of LiLo goo.

I would potentially do it again, and with SOME sedation but not full anesthesia. I mentioned it when i joined my 2 year old cat passed away donating blood so it kind of freaks me out. It was a freak accident but I would never recommend fully sedating your pet while they are giving blood. A little torb to smooth things out, fine. We even used safe anesthetic which was meant to not lower blood pressure and my cat died... so yeah.

[Malli]

totally a freak thing


I'd give them a day or 2, but thats really playing it safe! Even just the rest of the day to recover and a couple good meals and its my understanding that they're good to go...

[TheRedQueen]

A new video showing the process!

EVBB needs new donors! If you're in the MD/VA/WV area...please sign your dogs up to be donors!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbzUuDlQhxg

[TheRedQueen]

Just adding this new link...the Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank is now the Blue Ridge Vet. Blood Bank...

http://www.evbb.com/site/view/190152_Home.pml

They've moved from their MD location to VA now...but still do the same thing. Sawyer is giving blood this week, and Puzzle is making her debut...they'll be testing her out this week to see if she can handle being a donor!

Sawyer-bean hadn't donated for a while...they weren't in our neck of the woods lately, as they changed locations and such...so we called them to set up a new appt. and they were very excited, as I guess Bean has a much-needed blood type!