Pooch to become lifesaving blood donor
TIGER the greyhound earned her stripes by having a preliminary blood test so she can become a lifesaving donor to the University of Sydney’s canine blood bank as a part of DoSomething Day.
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TIGER the greyhound earned her stripes by having a preliminary blood test so she can become a lifesaving donor to the University of Sydney’s canine blood bank.
Just like humans, dogs may need an urgent blood transfusions for a multitude of reasons including serious trauma, surgery, bleeding disorders like haemophilia or snake bite.
University Veterinary Teaching Hospital blood bank co-ordinator Christine Griebsch said they have about 25 regular donors but are always on the hunt for more pawesome donors.
Donors can only give blood every three months and there is a limit to how long it can be stored for — plasma for three months and red blood cells for one month.
“It’s the same as humans so there can be a very high demand for blood and sometimes we have problems finding suitable donors at short notice,” Dr Griebsch said.
“Sometimes we have no-one to call so it would be good to have a bigger donor list to draw on.”
The need for blood is unpredictable — they could need 50 transfusions in one month and two the next.
She said “every dog could be a lifesaver” as long as they are healthy, between one and eight years old, weigh more than 20kg and have a good temperament.
Tiger needed a preliminary blood test to screen her for infectious diseases because, as an adopted greyhound, her full history was not known.
A blood sample is also collected each time a dog gives blood to ensure they are healthy.
Donors receive a $100 credit to spend at the vet as well as the knowledge they have given the gift of life.
For more information, email: uvths.blooddonor@sydney.edu.au.
An initiative of the DoSomething Foundation, NewsLocal and Your Local Club, DoSomething Day seeks to celebrate our volunteers and highlight those who are giving back by spreading kindness in their community.
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