WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — January is National Blood Donor Month in the United States. As we've told you, there is a supply shortage nationwide.
Also impacted: pets! Veterinarians are sounding the alarm about a shortage in their reserves, while looking for some four-legged heroes to help save lives.
We headed to VCA Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists in Warrensville Heights to talk to them about blood donation for pets.
At any time they must be ready to give a pet blood.
“We’re an emergency facility. Patients come in and you never know what you are going to get,” said Dr. Katie Frantz, a critical care specialist and Medical Director at VCA Great Lakes.
The 24-hour emergency facility often sees pets at their most fragile, making blood supply a critical part of its lifesaving team.
“We always want to make sure we have enough in the hospital because it’s quite common that we are giving transfusions,” Dr. Frantz says.
There are many reasons why your pet might need blood, starting with trauma, an accident or surgery – whether planned or an emergency.
Some autoimmune disease and clotting disorders can require transfusions too.
VCA Great Lakes uses blood banks to stock its supply, but also relies on pre-screened pets to donate in a pinch.
“Unfortunately, one of the blood banks that supplies blood to different veterinary hospitals is currently not operational for an unknown period of time. Hopefully it will be transient but that recent change increased the demand for blood products in dogs and cats,” Dr. Frantz said.
VCA Great Lakes is working on expanding their donor list.
“We are in the early stages of mobilizing things so we can have people in the community contact us to then have blood donor screenings done,” Frantz said.
For dogs to donate they should be over 50 pounds and between the ages of 1 and 7 (some banks may permit dogs as old as 8). They must be up to date on all vaccines and have a friendly disposition. No one likes needles, but pets must be able to tolerate these types of veterinary appointments.
Much of the same goes for cats, but they should weigh at least 4.5 kg or about 10 pounds.
The blood type in greatest demand for dogs is DEA 1.1 – negative. Most cats are type A, but Dr. Frantz says “B” is always welcome.
Among breeds of dogs, Frantz says Greyhounds are some of the best donors. It's because of the percentage of red blood cells in their blood. And more greyhounds are likely to have sought after universal blood type.
No matter the breed, or blood type - just one pint of your pet's blood can save up to four lives.
“So many patients that without a blood transfusion, given whatever their underlying cause brought them into the hospital, without that transfusion they would die,” said Dr. Frantz.
Ask your veterinarian if your pet would be a good candidate for blood or plasma donation. If the practice you visit doesn’t have its own blood bank, staff may be able to recommend one in the area.
Sometimes veterinarians collect blood for regional blood banks, ensuring that you won’t have to travel far if your pet becomes a donor.
VCA Great Lakes is working on expanding their donor program soon. You can learn more about their services HERE.
Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, in both Akron and Highland Heights, have a blood donor program that is accepting canines currently. Learn more HERE.
Strongsville Animal Hospital has information on blood donation HERE.
The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center has a dedicated blood bank. Learn more HERE.
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