It’s unthinkable for most dog lovers, but traumatic injuries do happen. If anything, our active, bounding Labs are more at risk than their more sedate cousins – whether from a car accident, an encounter with the wrong kind of critter, or terrain that insidiously hides all manner of bone-breaking or skin-piecing hazards.
Knowing how to give first aid to your dog in these situations can help stabilize the dog until he gets to the vet’s office. Once there, what usually saves the pet’s life – in addition to the veterinarian’s skills – are blood supplies from a veterinary blood bank.
Few people know these blood banks exist, even though they are the vital lifeline that helps ensure the survival of countless beloved pets across the country. Unfortunately, however, they can’t keep up with demand, and the shortage of blood products for dogs, cats, and other pets is chronic. That’s where the pet-loving public can help.
How Veterinary Blood Banks Work
Just like in the human world, veterinary blood banks are supplied by donors. Some are individual pets brought in by owners to donate blood every few weeks, although this amounts to a tiny fraction of the blood supply. The majority comes from commercial blood banks, such as Hemopet and Animal Blood Bank, as well as a variety of research universities, which house and care for retired racing dogs, rescue dogs, or shelter animals.
The dogs are carefully screened to ensure they are in good health, and facilities are monitored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and their state counterparts to ensure they are in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and any state or local requirements. Blood is drawn every two to four months (about two cups worth, which the dog begins replenishing immediately) and then separated into whole blood, red blood cells, or plasma before being stored. Whole blood and red blood cells are used for dogs that have suffered major trauma and bleeding, while the plasma is used to help treat dogs with bleeding disorders or internal bleeding.
Demand for Blood Supplies is Constant
While blood banks ensure a regular supply, any vet will tell you blood products for pets are constantly in short supply. That’s in large part because of the growing pet population, but the overall need comes from more than traumatic accidents.
Pets that have various autoimmune diseases, liver disease, clotting, or other disorders need regular blood transfusions to preserve their health and well-being. Researchers and universities need blood supplies to advance veterinary medicine, perform more difficult and complex operations, and investigate new treatments. In the wake of natural disasters, large numbers of injured dogs, cats, livestock, and other pets need immediate medical help. Blood banks often must mobilize at a moment’s notice to get blood supplies to these impacted areas, sometimes at the cost of ensuring adequate blood supplies elsewhere.
Can Your Dog Be A Donor?
The short answer is “maybe.” Just like in humans, dogs have several different blood types – 13 in fact – which underscores the need for a robust blood supply. The most sought-after blood type is DEA 1 Negative, from larger breed dogs. Similar to Type O blood in humans, DEA 1 Negative is a “universal” type, but only about 45 percent of dogs have it.
Donors must be at least one year old, healthy, and protected from all infectious diseases. Proper screening of blood supplies is also critical, so whether you bring your dog to your regular vet or to a community blood bank, be sure to ask whether rigid testing and protocols are in place.
You’ll typically be asked to commit to donating on a regular basis, anywhere from every eight weeks to every four months. Not many pet owners are willing to do this, which makes the importance of the commercial facilities that much greater.
You may also be able to store your dog’s own blood with your vet for use in an emergency, but this can be expensive, not all vets offer this option, and depending on where the accident happens, your vet may not be the closest option anyway.
Hopefully your beloved companion and family pet will never need a blood transfusion, but in the worst-case scenario, it’s helpful to know that thanks to blood banks and dog donors across the country, your dog could benefit from this life-saving procedure.
Bill Romanelli is an avid outdoorsman and best fried to a five-year-old red Lab. He writes for a number of magazines on hunting, the outdoors, art, business, and lifestyle.
