Vets in urgent need of four-legged donors to boost pet blood supplies
Pet blood supplies are at critically low levels, prompting vets to urgently call for donations from dogs and cats.
Vets say continuing shortages will force them into making difficult decisions.
Sadie, pictured with Dr Liam Donaldson and owner Sharni Bruce, is going to give animal blood to a vet hospital. Credit:Simon Schluter
Blood products are needed to treat dogs and cats injured in car accidents, poisoned by rat baits or burst abscesses, or in palliative care.
“With COVID-19 pet ownership increased pretty dramatically. The demand for blood products is outstripping supply,” said Dr Liam Donaldson, emergency and critical care specialist and clinical director at Greencross Vet Hospital at the University of Melbourne.
“Especially since COVID, pets became key to families, and they are willing to ask for higher standards of care.”
Blood transfusions can cost between $600 and $1000.
Previously, vet hospitals have relied on donations from the pets of staff and from animal kennels, but animals must pass rigorous health checks and can only donate once every three months.
Last week, Sharni Bruce, from Geelong, took her four-year-old, 35-kilogram stag hound cross, Sadie, to a vet hospital in Werribee for her final checks before giving blood.
“It all went great. Sadie was a superstar,” Bruce said.
“This is her first time. We haven’t done it yet but she is the best candidate – she has had her blood test and is up-to-date with the flea treatments and her vaccinations.”
Dr Liam Donaldson is calling for animal blood donors. Credit:Simon Schluter
Vets have taken to mailing customers to appeal for donations over the nationwide shortage.
“Just like in human medicine, blood donations can be life-saving for pets in need,” one mailout reads.
“Our partner emergency hospitals are in urgent need of four-legged donors to help supply blood and plasma for pets in critical care.”
A bag of donated blood. Credit:Simon Schluter
Bruce said one of her friends at the vet hospital alerted her to the donation campaign and urged her to find out if Sadie, who came from the Geelong Animal Welfare Society, was suitable.
Humans cannot donate blood to pets as the practice is under-researched and considered unethical.
“We can give dog blood to cats [though] it is not best practice. It doesn’t last as long. We didn’t typically go the other way. It is a matter of volume,” Donaldson said.
Dog blood donors must be between one and five years old and weigh more than 23 kilograms, be fully vaccinated, have a clean bill of health and never have received a blood transfusion. The same applies to cat blood donors, which must be large and weigh over 4 kilograms.
Just like humans, pets can be woozy after donating blood and should rest until the morning after.
Donaldson said all donors needed a calm temperament.
“Sadie is very food motivated and that is how we got her to take the photos – she loves the treats,” Bruce said.
“I just love shaggy dogs, I just love how hounds look and I wanted a bigger dog. I love their energy, and they are also so happy.”
Pet blood donors get a treat bag and owners get a $100 voucher for Pet Barn.
“Both of us get a nice prize,” Bruce said.
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