We talk about everyday heroes when humans donate blood, but did you know that it applies to your pets too? As a blood donor, you know the importance of blood and how this precious commodity saves lives. Our very own furry friends can also make a difference and save lives too.
Humans have 4 main blood groups, and in comparison, dogs have approximately 7 different ones, with the most important classification between groups being (positive or negative) Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA). Cats, on the other hand, only have 2 blood groups, being A and B.
Cat & dog blood donation facts
Cats can only donate 11-15ml blood per kilogram of body weight; that’s why vets, in fact, prefer bigger cats to become donors. No blood bags that small exist, so blood needs to be transfused immediately to the patient cat. Cat donors, therefore, need to be immediately available for patients in need. Importantly, donor cats need to be restricted indoors to prevent accidental transmission of the viral diseases FIV and FeLV, which could be passed on to the recipient.
Dogs use the same blood bagsas humans, and can produce whole blood: packed red cells and fresh frozen plasma, from their donation. Canines donate 450ml per 25kg body weight, which means if a dog is more than 50kg, they can donate a total of 900ml. Both cats and dogs can donate blood every 3 months.
When would dogs & cats require transfusions?
Various medical conditions will cause a drop in red blood cell count. Blood transfusions assist cats and dogs in many procedures and emergencies. Transfusions are required when there’s:
- Anaemia due to trauma or surgery;
- Internal bleeding after surgery;
- Anaemia due to disease, such as biliary or other haemolytic anaemias;
- Clotting problems due to rat poison toxicity (warfarin) or liver failure; &
- Critical blood protein loss, which needs plasma to increase levels, e.g. puppies with parvovirus diarrhoea (katgriep).
The requirements for dogs to become a blood donor
- Be between 1–6 years old;
- Weigh more than 25kg;
- Be in good health and maintain a healthy weight;
- Have a calm temperament;
- Haven’t received any blood transfusions in the past;
- All vaccinations, deworming, tick, and flea treatments need to be up to date;
- Not be on any chronic medication;
- Donate 450ml of blood (1 unit) for every 25kg of weight. It’s safe to take 2 units from dogs over 45kg.
- Dogs do not show the light headedness experienced by humans after donation, as they have a different blood pressure system; &
- Zero diagnosis of any heart murmurs, seizures, or any other chronic disease.
The requirements for cats to become a blood donor
- Be between the age of 1–8 years old;
- Weigh a minimum of 4kg, and maintain a healthy weight;
- Must be FIV and FeLV negative;
- Not suffer from any chronic disease; &
- Have a calm temperament.
What to expect when your pets donate blood
As pets can’t obviously complete a donor questionnaire themselves, their screening includes the following: being weighed, and a complete clinical examination, which includes a blood sample of blood count and cells. Your pets would be placed under light sedation, which is immediately reversed after the donation process. After blood donation, pets also enjoy a nice, well-deserved snack.
The more accustomed your furry companions are to the procedure, the quicker and less stressful it will be.
A typical donation takes about 10 to 30 minutes. The pet is placed on a table, normally laying on its side, while a technician provides lots of care. A small patch of fur on the pet’s neck is shaved, and a tiny sterile needle is attached to a sterile blood bag, used for collection. Most pets don’t feel a thing, and are just thrilled to receive the extra love and attention.
As soon as blood is drawn, the pet’s body begins to produce more to replace it. Donors are given plenty of water and yummy snacks immediately after donating. While some pets may be sluggish or weak after donating, others have no reaction at all—every pet is different. Overall, pets recover much more quickly from a blood donation, than their human counterparts.
What happens to the blood donation?
It’s important to note that the processing of blood allows for better utilisation of this very valuable resource.
• Depending on the type of blood bag that’s used for collection, the blood products can then be processed into its various components. Whole blood can be stored for 4 weeks in a medical fridge, packed red blood cells for 6 weeks, and plasma is frozen within 8hrs of collection, which in turn, is stored at -20°C, for up to 12 months.
• Whole blood is used for trauma cases resulting in severe bleeding, like serious car crashes, as well as to replace blood during surgical procedures on blood-rich organs, like the liver.
• Packed red blood cells are commonly used in conditions where the red blood cells are broken down. Tick-borne diseases like babesiosis (common in South Africa), where the parasite directly destroys the cells, warrants the need for packed red cells to replace the loss.
Where are Veterinary Blood Banks in South Africa?
- Tygerberg Animal Hospital (TAH) is the only veterinary blood bank in the Western Cape, although other veterinary practises do collect whole blood from cats and dogs for immediate transfusion.
- Valley Farm Animal Hospital canine blood bank based in Pretoria can supply the needs of their own hospital, and are sometimes even able to supply blood to a few other veterinary practices in the area.
- Veterinary Anaesthesia Analgesia and Critical Care Services Blood Bank (VAACCS) blood bank is situated in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Their pet blood donations are on a voluntary basis, and other pets are dependent on the generosity of hero donors to save their lives.
- Onderstepoort Animal Blood Bank (OABB) uses in-house and client-owned donor dogs that meet stringent health criteria to provide blood products. All canine donors are initially blood typed, and then regularly screened. Donated blood is used primarily in the treatment of canine patients in the hospital, but subject to availability, may be supplied to private veterinarians.
- Kimberley Veterinary Clinic Blood Bank situated in the Northern Cape Province are proud, and immensely excited, about their recently established Blood Bank initiative, and are always in need of more donors.
- White River Animal Blood Bank in Mpumalanga Province, are making a point of bringing awareness that your furry friends also need transfusions from time to time, and a dog blood bank is now being established locally to meet the demand in area.
- Animal Zone Blood Bank situated in Tongaat KZN, recently completed the process of setting up a canine blood bank. This essential service aids dogs locally, as well as neighbouring veterinary facilities, when in need of blood.
All veterinary blood banks are always looking for new donor pets to join the teams of life savers. Please speak to your vet today, who will refer you to your nearest local Veterinary Blood Bank. Some of the larger Veterinary Clinics in South Africa have active blood banks. Other practises require donors on call. Regardless of the individual needs of your pet, veterinary blood banks can make the difference between life and death for pets nationwide.
Blue Everest Medical supply blood bags for both human and veterinary use. You are most welcome to contact us on 072 807 2166 for further info regarding the supply of blood bags, and related blood banking equipment.
Resources
6 responses to “The Use of Blood Bags in Veterinary Blood Banks in South Africa”
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. Its always interesting to read articles from other authors and practice something from other sites.
This is the right website for everyone who would like to understand this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really would want toÖHaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that has been discussed for many years. Excellent stuff, just excellent!
Right here is the perfect webpage for anybody who wishes to understand this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need toÖHaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a subject which has been written about for decades. Wonderful stuff, just excellent!
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article! Its the little changes that will make the largest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Itís difficult to find educated people for this topic, however, you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
Excellent post. I definitely love this site. Continue the good work!