Blood hound! Luca is top Scots donor
(and, yes, he gets a biscuit after giving life-saving pints)
BOUNDING joyfully in the fresh air, fox-red Labrador Luca is enjoying his daily walk as much as any dog.
But this is not your average fourlegged-friend – he is currently Scotland’s top life-saving ‘blood hound’.
The eight-year-old has donated 24 times – adding up to 19 pints – and will keep on giving.
But he still has a little way to go to match Izzy, the dog which holds the record as Scotland’s top donor, who gave 29 times before retiring. Her 23 pints saved up to 116 doggy lives.
Now, the charity Pet Blood Bank UK hopes Luca and Izzy will inspire more owners to let their pets donate.
Like humans, dogs can have positive or negative blood types.
The charity particularly wants to hear from the owners of certain breeds who tend to have negative blood, such as Izzy, because it can be given to any dog in an emergency.
Luca’s owner, Elaine Reid, who got the pet when he was a nine-week-old pup, said: ‘He’s just a really lovable dog, very friendly.
‘He tended to want to look around to begin with [during donation], but the staff make them so comfortable it was not an issue and he just lies there.
He’s not stressed in any way.
‘He loves toys, he can retrieve one or a ball, and at the end of sessions they let him choose his toy.’
Ms Reid, a retired district nurse who lives near Cupar, Fife, heard about pet blood donation from a friend and attended sessions with her two older dogs, black Labradors Tim and Maisie, before Luca joined in.
Seven-month-old fox-red Labrador Rannoch is set to be the latest member of the pack to donate when he reaches the one-year minimum age.
Ms Reid said: ‘I’d like to think if my dogs needed blood or treatment that someone had donated – I just think it’s a really worthwhile service.’
Dogs donating blood attend organised sessions and, just like humans, enjoy a drink and biscuit afterwards. Pets are lifted onto a veterinary table with their head and legs gently held by staff during the process.
Some owners may doubt their large dog – donors must weigh over 25kg (55lb) – would lie still while a phlebotomist takes 450ml (about threequarters of a pint) of blood.
But the charity says that with lots of fuss and reassurance, and a local anaesthetic cream to prevent any discomfort, most dogs do not even realise what is happening during the five to ten-minute process. Each donation can save the lives of up to four dogs.
The owner of 11-year-old German shepherd Izzy, Fiona Martin, 54, from Kingseat, Fife, said: ‘She’s the most docile, amazing dog. She’s so sweet. I’ve got three others but she’s top dog.’
Wendy Barnett, of Pet Blood Bank UK said: ‘There is a continual demand for blood. It can mean the difference between life and death.’
‘He’s a really lovable dog, very friendly’
If you think your dog could be a life-saver, visit www.petbloodbankuk.org or call 01509 232 222.