With advances in veterinary medicine, more complex surgical procedures are being performed on our beloved pets. Thus, there is an increased need for blood bank programs to supply life-saving blood components. In the past, Veterinarians had to use their own dogs, dogs owned by their staff, or even dogs borrowed from their clients as blood donors in the absence of animal blood banks.

Just as human blood banks depend on human blood donors, animal blood banks must depend solely on animal blood donors. Blood is species specific - dogs can receive only dog blood and cats can only receive cat blood. In addition, dogs have blood types just as humans have blood types. Dogs have eleven different blood groups and the most important one is the A1/A2 system. Dogs that have A negative blood types are considered universal donors.

Although dogs rarely have isoantibodies against other blood types, it is still recommended that all recipients be cross matched prior to receiving a blood transfusion, especially dogs which have received a previous blood transfusion to make sure that your donor and recipient are compatible.

Cross-matching tests can either be major or minor. The donor's red blood cells are mixed with serum from the recipient in a major cross match test. It is observed if a reaction occurs. There is a possibility that the recipient's blood cells may attack donor cells and not accept them. Unless desperately needed, transfusion should not be done if there is a major cross-match incompatibility. The red cells of the recipient are compared with the donor's serum in a minor cross-match test. Only parts of the donor's blood can be given to the recipient, not the blood in its entirety, if there is a minor cross-match incompatibility.

Qualities for canine donors are: healthy, no history of metabolic or heart disease or seizures, lean body weight of greater than 50 kg, and 1-7 years of age. They should not be on any medication, except heartworm and parasite preventatives. Potential donors should have a good temperament, have been neutered and nulliparous, and have jugular veins that are easily visualized and palpated. They should also be current on vaccines. Greyhounds have been promoted as ideal blood donors because of their amenable disposition and high PCV.

Once a canine's blood type is determined and is acceptable, screening is done for metabolic and infectious diseases: CBC, biochemical profile, U/A, fecal exam, von Willebrand's factor, and testing for Dirofilaria immiti, Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, B. gibsoni, Brucella canis (in intact or previously bred dogs), and Bartonella.

No preparation such as fasting is needed before going to the donation center. Canine donors are not sedated and the procedure takes only less than 30 minutes. Upon arrival, the dog is welcomed in and lifted onto a table. Shaving is done to a small patch of hair on the neck to expose the skin right over the jugular vein where the blood is taken. Then, the area is cleansed with alcohol and a needle is inserted into the vein. Upon insertion, blood goes into the needle, through a tube. Then it goes into the collection bag. Pressure is then applied to stop any bleeding after the procedure is done. Mild bruising may be present at the site where blood is collected.

Fluid and nutrients are then replaced by giving water and food after blood is drawn. The body compensates by producing new red blood cells immediately after the donation. In the next 24 hours after donating, strenuous activities should be avoided. Two months must elapse before the dog can donate blood again. By that time, the blood volume and red blood cell count will be back to normal.

The dogs are given gifts and treats after donating. A dog may get a tag, which identifies him or her as a blood donor, edible rewards such as dog biscuits, a jar of baby food, a can or a large bag of dog food and some donors may even get brand new toys or cool donor bandanas.

After the collection, the different blood components - red cells, plasma, and platelets will be separated. Anemic recipients are given red cells. Plasma builds up blood volume, thus it is given to animals that are not making enough or are losing large amounts of protein. For those recipients whose platelets are depleted or dysfunctional, they are given platelet-rich plasma.

Today, there are several animal blood banks in the world. They supply blood products to the different Veterinary hospitals. It is good that many pet owners responded with enthusiastically to the growing need for blood donations. The blood donated by the animals is brought in to the bank at the Veterinary hospital and to the bank's bloodmobile, which visits Veterinary clinics and kennel clubs.

Some animal blood banks depend solely on the generosity of pet owners who enroll their dogs in canine blood donor programs and take them to their scheduled appointments. Animal blood banks hold drives to encourage animal blood donations, just like what the Red Cross and other health organizations do.

If you would you like your pet to be a life-saver of other pets, and that they fit the requirements to be a volunteer donor, check out the where regional blood banks for dogs and cats or the list of Veterinary Hospitals and University Veterinary Medical Centers are located and contact the one nearest you. You can also inquire about animal blood donor programs during your next visit to the veterinarian.

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