Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Our dog is a blood donor!

7 replies

fluffysticks · 09/03/2015 20:37

Yesterday our dog donated blood with Pet Blood Bank UK. More donors are always needed, dogs have to meet a certain criteria which is all explained on their website. He got a full health check from a vet before donating, the staff were all lovely and made such a fuss of him, he was in his element! He is now proudly wearing his red 'I'm a lifesaver for pet blood bank uk bandana!

OP posts:
MostAmused · 09/03/2015 21:58

That's awesome! Well done FluffyDog! What happens? Do they get to stay conscious? I can't imagine my dog staying still long enough! Does it take a while?

pepperfish · 09/03/2015 22:32

Ahh, good on him :-) mine sometimes steps in when we need blood at work (I work in a vets). She gets a Jumbone and a choice of new toy in Pets at Home each time :-) doesn't phase her at all!

Original poster
fluffysticks · 09/03/2015 22:42

Yes they are conscious throughout the procedure. After the vet assessment she took a small blood sample from his leg which is tested immediately for haemoglobin levels and then the vet shaved his neck where the needle was to go in. We then went into another room where there were three blood bank nurses, Fluffydog was lifted onto a couch and gently held still while the needle was inserted into his neck, he was so good. This was his second attempt as the previous time he was too wriggly but he's now older and calmer! The blood flows into a bag which is on scales so they can see how much they're getting. He gave the full 570mls which is enough to help 4 dogs. It took about 10mins for the actual blood donation bit. Then it was off to have some Chappie and a drink of water and receive his bandana!

OP posts:
Ziggyzoom · 09/03/2015 22:47

That is brilliant, well done both of you. I had never thought about this until my dog managed to impale himself on a piece of glass recently. He came very close to needing a transfusion and the vet then explained how other dogs donate. Once he is fully recovered, I think we need to put his name down!

pigsDOfly · 09/03/2015 23:06

That's fantastic fluffysticks. He should be very proud of his bandana.

LimeJellyHead · 26/03/2015 20:09

That's great. Well done. Just imagine, a little life may have been saved because of that kind act. Brilliant.

Carpaccio · 27/03/2015 15:18

That's really cool, well done!
We looked into it with our dog but she's too small (at 12 kg) so she isn't allowed to become a blood donor.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page