Blood Donor Program

WHO CAN DONATE?

• Any healthy dog or cat from 2-8 years of age.
• Dogs must be over 60 Lbs (25 Kg); cats must be in good body condition.
• Donors must have current vaccinations, annual health exams, deworming, heartworm testing for dogs, feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus testing for cats.

HOW DO WE REGISTER OUR PET TO BE A DONOR?

• E-mail us
• Call the clinic at 432-7297

HOW DOES MY PET BECOME APPROVED TO BECOME A DONOR?

Once your pet has registered to be a blood donor we will schedule a visit to the hospital for blood donor screening. At the blood donor screening test your pet will recieve AT NO CHARGE:

• A complete physical exam
• Microchip placement (optional)
• Viral screening
• Blood typing

A 6ml blood sample is drawn to perform these tests; results are available in 48 hours.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY PET DONATES BLOOD?

• When we have a patient in the hospital who requires blood or blood products we will call a donor from the Blood Donor Program.
• You and your pet will be escorted into the treatment room where your pet will receive a light sedative to help relax them for the procedure. The sedation takes effect in approximately fifteen minutes, and lasts for approximately 4-6 hours. Sometimes a pet will vomit from the sedation. Once your pet is a proven donor there are many dogs who donate without sedation. Cats will almost always donate with sedation.
• You can stay with your pet for the entire procedure if you choose to.
• While your pet is relaxing with their sedation the Animal Health Technologist will draw a small sample of blood to ensure your pet has an adequate red blood cell count to donate. These results take about 10 minutes.
• The fur from your pet's neck will need to be shaved over the jugular vein regions, and this will be cleaned thoroughly with surgical soap and alcohol.
• If sedation is adequate, which it is for most pets, your pet will then have the blood collection taken from one or both jugular veins, by an Animal Health Technologist or Veterinarian.
• The entire process usually does not take more that 15 minutes if we have a cooperative donor.
• Cats donate 40 to 60 mls per donation, and not more frequently than once every three months.
• Most dogs will donate 500 mls per donation, and not more frequently than once every three months.
• Your pet will receive a FREE BAG OF PET FOOD each time they donate.
• For every donation your pet makes, they will be entitled to receive an equal number of blood products AT NO CHARGE should they ever need them.