Sit. Stay. Read.
JUNE NEWSLETTER
World Blood Donor Day
By Krista Albers-Smith, LVT
World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on June 14th. This annual global event raises awareness of the need for safe blood products and shows gratitude to our incredible donors. Having blood products available is vital because some pets will require a lifesaving transfusion due to surgery, trauma (automobile accident, dog fight, etc.), auto-immune disease, heat stroke, rodenticide ingestion, or other illnesses.
Throughout the United States, demand for pet blood continues to rise, but supply often falls short. In 2023, we established our canine blood donor program to help meet the increasing demand for blood for our community. Today, we are celebrating our donors and all the pets that give blood around the world.
The United States recognizes five blood groups in dogs, DEA 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7. Dogs can be positive or negative for each group. Dogs that are DEA 4 positive only are considered universal donors. Dogs are also unique in that they can receive blood that is not typed to match them one time without adverse reactions.
Cats, on the other hand, must receive a match every time because they are at a high risk of fatal reactions. Cats have three blood types A, B, and AB. Type A is the most common blood type, while type AB is the rarest. Certain breeds of cat, such as British Shorthair and Rex breeds, are more likely to be Type B than other breeds.
To be included in our program, all donors go through a full laboratory work up, blood typing and exam to ensure they are healthy candidates for donation. After their first year, our donors’ blood work is monitored on a yearly basis to ensure they continue to be healthy enough to donate. Prior to each donation, we do an exam and make sure the donor is able to give. Just like humans, dogs can donate as frequently as every 8 weeks if needed. Each unit of blood donated can be kept for 35 days before being disposed of and collecting a new donation.
At Parks Veterinary, six of our employees have graciously volunteered their dogs to be donors. We work hard to ensure each experience is a good one, so that our donors are never scared to come in. After their donation, we provide snacks and they always get lots of attention.
These incredible donors and their owners are heroes, and we appreciate their invaluable contributions. Please join us in thanking our donors!
Duke and Sheila Reichmuth
Ty and Katie Hostler
Reina and Sarah Hagemann
Finn and Sydney Prochaska
Ash and Katrina Hancock
Kata and Darci Petersen
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