Dogs need the life-saving gift of blood too
Ever wondered who is a dog’s best friend when they are in need of blood?
Canine blood donation is becoming increasingly popular in the city, and those dogs who can save a life should get their humans to take them to the nearest donation site too!
With the first successful canine blood donation in 1665, the process, equivalent to a human blood donation, has become an important part of veterinary medical treatment, especially for cases of biliary or parvo virus.
The need for canine blood donors was highlighted this June, when the Onderstepoort Animal Blood Bank (OABB) issued an urgent appeal for eligible canine blood donors, after experiencing a shortage of blood stocks.
The facility, housed in the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH) of the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science, has since 2001 been providing vets across the country with fresh frozen plasma, which can be purchased from the bank, as with human blood banks.
“Around 360 bags of canine blood are collected annually and processed at the bank’s in-house facilities into red blood cells or fresh or frozen blood plasma,” OABB said.
Pietermaritzburg resident Hazel Blomkamp said she first came across canine blood donation in 2015 and her dogs have been regular blood donors ever since. Six of Blomkamp’s dogs have been donors over the last seven years.
“It all started with a trip to the vet with one of my dogs. While I was waiting, I saw a notice calling for canine blood donors. I enquired about the process and my two dogs became donors. It feels good to know that we can help to save two lives,” said Blomkamp.
Blomkamp’s three-year-old Boxer, Monica, is a proud blood donor who enjoys her trips to the vet on donation day.
“It is a simple process, and donations won’t be taken from the dog if there is the slightest suspicion something may be wrong as they do not want to harm the dog. The dog must be perfectly healthy. Dogs can start donating blood from the time they are a year old and must be 25kg and upwards.
“The dog’s vitals are checked and they are slightly sedated. A needle is then placed into their jugular. It takes about 15 minutes and then they are given an antidote. Monica is then woken up. For a few hours after that she is a bit woozy, but thereafter she is fine and can continue as normal.
Blomkamp said Monica loves her visits to the vet and she is treated very well.
Every time that a dog donates blood over a three to six times, they get a blood screen to check on their blood count and that is free.
“Monica gets a free bag of food on her third donation and that is her gift,” said Blomkamp.
She urges all dog owners to get their eligible dogs to donate blood and save at least two lives like Monica.
“Their blood can save biliary or parvo patients, and blood is especially needed during the summer months when biliary is rife,” added Blomkamp.
Dr. Estee van Aardt, from Chase Valley Veterinary Clinic, said the blood that is donated by canines can be used for a number of treatments for other other animals in need.
“It can be used for a number of treatments including anemia, tick bite fever, animals who have cancer and puppies who have a lot of worms,” said van Aardt.
She added that the requirements for a canine to donate blood is they must be a year or older, of a calm temperament and over 25kgs.
Dogs who are older than six may not be allowed to donate blood.
Those who would like for their canines to donate can go the the Chase Valley Veterinary Clinic or to their nearest vet.