Canine blood donors save pets' lives
The Capital, November 9, January 22, 2008

WESTMINSTER (AP) - Samantha is a regular blood donor, and her blood can save lives. Dogs' lives, that is.

Samantha is a chocolate Labrador and her owner is Susan Godden. Samantha likes to give blood because she gets treats.

"She knows that she will get a lot of lovin'," Ms. Godden said.

Samantha gives blood to Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank at Airpark Animal Hospital in Westminster.

The animal hospital has been conducting blood drives for EVBB for a few of years, according to Theresa Connelly, EVBB events coordinator.

"We are constantly recruiting. The need is growing as people are having pets instead of kids," Ms. Connelly said.

Mount Airy Animal Hospital plans to give dog lovers the same opportunity to have their pooches give blood. Tova Bopp is the head registered veterinary technician at Mount Airy, and worked with EVBB in Baltimore. She wanted to help fill the need for dog blood in the area.

"I started asking people (if they knew about EVBB), and nobody knew about it," she said.

Ms. Connelly and Ms. Bopp said many people don't realize dogs can give blood, and there are many new technologies available to vets.

"Just about anything you can do for a human, you can do for a pet nowadays," Ms. Connelly said.

Ms. Bopp said she does blood work on animals almost daily, and dogs can get X-rays, ultrasounds and MRIs. Blood transfusions are used in emergencies or when a dog loses too much blood in surgery or has trouble clotting.

EVBB gives 25,000 units of blood to animal hospitals each year.

Veterinarian Ann Schneider started the blood bank in 1993. Before starting the bank, Ms. Schneider had trouble getting typed and screened blood for her canine patients and decided to start the company to make sure area vets would have a reliable source of blood.

Dogs have positive or negative type blood.

"Most dogs are positive," Ms. Bopp said. "Dogs that have negative blood type are like the universal donor for dogs."

To be a blood donor, a dog must weigh at least 35 pounds, be in good health and be between the ages of 9 months and 7.5 years. Dogs weighing 55 pounds or less give a half pint of blood, while dogs that weigh more than 55 pounds give a full pint.

Technicians drawn blood from the jugular vein because it is the easiest way, Ms. Connelly said.

"It's going to go a lot faster," she added.

During donations, the dogs aren't sedated, but they must stay relatively still.

"We'll never sedate or muzzle a dog, but we'll bribe them (with treats)," Ms. Connelly said.

EVBB is one of a few of private blood banks for dogs in the country.

Other canine blood banks own dogs that give regularly. Dogs can donate blood every three weeks.

When a dog gives blood, the pooch is tested for heartworms and other canine conditions, and the blood is examined and typed. Donors can also receive as much blood as they've donated for free if they get sick or suffer an injury.

Veterinarians recommend dogs rest and stay hydrated after donating blood.

"You would never know she gave blood (after she donates)," Ms. Godden said of Samantha. Samantha won't run around her yard, but she doesn't take a nap, either.

"I'm thrilled she's doing it," Ms. Godden said.