It’s no secret that advancements in medicine have been passed onto our pets.  Now, dogs and cats alike can recover from serious surgical procedures that were unheard of in the past.  Along with the advancements in medicine comes the need for people and animals alike to volunteer their services.  Blood transfusions require donations from many volunteers, and now that procedure has been passed onto the animal world, creating a new way for your pet to volunteer.

 

Just as humans can donate blood for other humans, dogs and cats are now needed to provide the same service.  Dogs can donate for dogs, and cats can donate for cats.  Although there are not too many animal blood banks open for business yet, they are rising in popularity.  Many animal emergency hospitals have their own blood donation sites.  In the past, animals of the veterinarians and other veterinary workers were used as donors.  Some organizations would even rescue animals that would have otherwise been euthanized, house them and use them as blood donors, and then provide lifelong homes for them once they exceed the blood donation age limit.  Now, organizations are opening their doors for volunteers.

 

Each organization has its own rules for donor eligibility.  If you feel that your pet would be a good match, then check with a local organization for specific requirements.  In general, the dog needs to be at least one year old, but no older than nine years of age.  Some organizations set the age limit lower and only allow donations from dogs less than six years of age.  In addition to age requirements, there are weight requirements.  This isn’t much of a surprise since the same is true for human blood donors.  To be eligible, the dog must weigh at least 50 pounds.  Health is another factor in donations.  A dog must be physically healthy and up to date on all vaccinations.  The only medications the dog is allowed to be on at the time of donation are flea and heartworm preventatives.  Any dog that donates must be on a heartworm preventative.  Some facilities will provide the preventative free of charge for the donors.  If the dog meets basic eligibility requirements, then he will be permitted to undergo a prescreening.

 

There is more to donating than just a health requirement.  If you have ever donated, then you know that you must sit still for about half an hour.  The same is true for a dog.  The dog must have an even temperament and be willing and able to lie on his side for a period of time (around half an hour).  You may wonder how they get cats to sit still that long.  Many animal blood banks use their own cats instead of volunteers.  The cats are sedated during the donation process.  Like the dogs, the cats give blood until they retire, then they are provided lifelong homes. 

 

If the prescreening is approved, then the owner and a member of the facility will have a meeting to determine the requirements of the volunteer.  Since so much time and effort is put into finding appropriate volunteers, most organizations require some sort of frequency and length commitment from the owner.  The frequency and length of donation vary for each animal blood bank.  For example, a dog may be required to donate every two to three months for a length of three years before he can “retire.”  Or, he may be asked to donate four times each year until he reaches a certain age.

           

If you wish for your pet to become a volunteer blood donor, then check with local animal hospitals.  As mentioned before, animal blood banks are not yet numerous, so there may not be one in your area.  You can, however, encourage the hospital to start a donation center.  Your pet’s willingness to donate will show that starting an animal blood bank is a possibility in your area.

 

Pets are now undergoing and surviving surgeries that were otherwise unheard of in the past.  Now, it is possible and necessary for pets to donate blood.  Once the animals qualify for donation, dogs can donate for other dogs and cats can donate for other cats.  If you are interested in volunteering your pet for blood donation, then check with local animal hospitals to find a facility near you.

 

This article was provided by the authors at pet super store an online pet supplies store featuring dog car seat covers and pet crates.