Blood donation in animals remains unknown, despite significant needs

Blood donation in a dog can save six lives and a cat’s blood can save up to three lives. Moreover, Like humans, animals have blood types, so several types of donors are necessary to ensure compatibility with recipients. In addition,

Summer is a period when blood product needs are larger and blood shortages can occur. Meanwhile,

There are three large families of anemia causes. Nevertheless, explains Vincent Gauthier, veterinarian at the Laval Vet veterinary center and us, an emergency and reference center open 24 hours a day due to blood loss during a hemorrhage; The second is due to the destruction of red blood cells by the immune system and several fairly common diseases can be involved; And the third is linked to a lack of production of red blood cells by the bone marrow. Nevertheless,

In summer. blood donation animals remains unknown, Meanwhile, the increase in needs is mainly linked to hemorrhages when the animal was involved in a trauma, whether due to a fall or hit by a vehicle. Nevertheless, “Indeed. Moreover, these kinds of presentations are more common in summer, so by default there are a little bit more often large volumes of transfusions. Nevertheless, It is certain that apart from that on the other hand. Therefore, there are causes of transfusion or anemia which are common in the long year. Moreover, So it’s still a fairly present reality a year. Meanwhile, but a little more marked during the busy periods like summer, “says the veterinarian. For example,

Blood donation in animals remains quite unknown

Patrice Lavoie has six dogs at home. two of which are blood products, the others do not qualify because of their insufficient weights. He recently made a publication on his social networks to promote blood donation animals remains unknown, blood donation in animals. that made a big stir in his entourage.

“This is really a subject that people know little. since I made this publication, there are still a lot of people on social networks who have been informed by saying that they could go offer. So yes, it should be more known, “he said in an interview in June. Mr. Lavoie is director of public relations. influence at Héma-Québec-who is only in charge of human blood products in Quebec.

For animals. there is a Canadian blood bank and others in the United States or in Europe whose mission is to provide blood products-especially dogs-to veterinary hospitals and clinics.

“Since the transfusion needs are often larger in reference centers. emergency centers, it is still common practice that each of these centers will have their own blood bank to complete the blood donation animals remains unknown, inventory according to needs. Especially since for us, in Canada, generally, we cannot buy blood for cats. So. we must always at least have our own cat donors to be able to provide the necessary blood products, ”explains Vincent Gauthier.

Mr. Lavoie understands the challenges of blood collection, even if the animals are not his responsibility. “I am sensitive to the importance of blood donation in general, then one of my dogs had an accident. A month later, he needed two plasma units. It really made me realize how much. yes I say that we never know when we themselves can need transfusion, but I have experienced it personally with one of my animals, ”he says.

On the other hand. there is no permanent bank for other pets, but there can be punctual needs, especially for exotic birds, rabbits, hamsters, etc. When there is a need for these animals, blood donation animals remains unknown, the veterinarian contacts a register of potential donors.

General rule, for all species with the exception of dogs, blood donations are made under sedation. Dogs do not need it where they can take a slight calming through the mouth.

Animals can donate every four to six weeks without danger. but veterinarians generally spaces the donations every three or four months. As with human blood collections. there are animal “super-data”, and there are also families who have had several dogs or cats during their lifetime, and each of them has made donations for several years.

Blood donation in animals is free. On the other hand, if your animal needs a transfusion, the bill can oscillate between $ 1000 and $ 1,500, which includes tests to determine its blood group and the transfusion in itself.