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INFORMATION FOR BLOOD DONORS
We are looking for dogs that are:
Healthy and friendly
50# or over
Between 1 – 7 years old
Free of parasites and current on vaccinations
Taking no medications except heartworm and/or flea preventative
No heart murmur
If you own a dog fitting this description and would like your pet to become a blood donor, the screening process (at our expense) follows:
1. Your dog will be weighed. You will fill out a health history form for
your pet.
2. A licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician will examine
your dog and review the health history with you.
3. Three tubes of blood will be drawn and tested to determine the current
health status of your pet. Health status is established by reviewing red
blood cell count and chemistry profile on site, tickborne disease screen
and blood typing within two weeks after donation. Complete results will
be mailed to you within three weeks post donation.
4. Your dog will donate one unit of blood.
Blood donation is a simple procedure. It does not require anesthesia or sedation. Donating blood takes only 15 – 25 minutes. Dogs donate either sitting or lying down. Blood is taken from a jugular vein, a large vein in the neck. Giving blood will not hinder your pet’s normal activity: flyball, agility, obedience, or tracking. Donors do not need to fast before giving blood. Dogs donate 400 milliliters of blood. The blood is processed into packed red blood cells and plasma so your pet will actually be helping two dogs each time he donates. Your dog will not receive orange juice after donating but she/he will receive treats!
We need you because ONLY ONE DOG IN EVERY FIFTEEN DOGS IS A UNIVERSAL DONOR.