Veterinary transfusion medicine has come a long way in the past 50 years. Prior to the establishment of national blood banks, veterinarians relied on staff pets or animals kept at the clinic for the purpose of donating blood. Frequently, these donors were untyped, unscreened, and crossmatches were not performed. With the advent of national and regional blood banks, this began to change. Donors and recipients were typed and donors were screened for infectious disease and general health. While this was a tremendous improvement, it also meant that dogs were spending their lives in cages so that other dogs could be saved.

The Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank opened in 1993 with the purpose of providing a humane alternative. Our donors are volunteers who live with their familes and come to our facility once every 7-8 weeks. Donors receive numerous health benefits, including extensive bloodwork and free blood components should they ever be needed.

Transfusion medicine is a rapidly growing field with many applications. Blood components can be used to treat anemia, clotting disorders, vonWillebrands disease, parvovirus, pancreatitis, and many other illnesses. The Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank distributes over 24,000 units of blood and plasma each year. If you would like to learn more about this valuable service or would like information on our donor program, please call us at 410-224-BANK.

You can speak with a member of our staff during regular business hours to order blood products. If you have an emergency need after hours, click here to get the number of the distribution center closest to you. Our distribution centers are generally emergency veterinary clinics — allowing for 24-hour pick-up.

The EVBB will grow and change to suit the veterinary community. Please utilize our product list as thoroughly as you would any other transfusion tool, and don't hesitate to e-mail us with your ideas and suggestions for how we can better serve you in the future.