Animals donating blood save lives at Werribee’s University of Melbourne Vet Hospital
Courageous canines and fearless felines are saving the lives of other pets across Melbourne. Here’s how your pet can reach superhero status by lending a paw.
Wyndham Leader
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Saving lives is in Mopane’s blood.
If your four-legged friend needed a lifesaving blood transfusion, there’s good chance Mopane would be the one to come to the rescue.
The five-year-old staghound-cross is just one of the hero pooches saving canine lives through vital blood donations.
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Mopane is a regular at the Werribee-based University of Melbourne Vet Hospital blood bank and has so far saved up to 45 pooches suffering from trauma, anaemia or clotting problems.
On Thursday she was given superhero status — along with a cape and a cake — when she notched up her 15th blood donation.
Blood donor program co-ordinator Kerry Bozicevic said taking blood from gentle Mopane was a breeze.
“She is just the sweetest dog, a real trooper,” she said.
“She wags her tail the entire time and it makes my job so easy.”
Ms Bozicevic said, like humans, dogs and cats relied on donated blood for their survival in times of need.
Last year the hospital used 104 bags of canine blood to help sick and wounded dogs and more would be needed to ensure beloved pets have access to the treatment they need.
“We do our best to get the word out but I don’t think most people realise dogs and cats can give blood too — and we always need more donors,” Ms Bozicevic said.
Donor dogs such as Mopane are able to safely donate every three months, with every donation
potentially able to save the lives of three dogs.
The hospital is calling for dogs larger than 25kg with the ability to sit still for 10-15 minutes and a known health history, to try their paws at lifesaving.
Cats at least 4kg with up-to-date vaccinations and parasite control are also needed.
If you have a courageous canine or fearless feline with a hankering to save others, contact U-Vet’s blood donor program on 9731 2328 or visit the website.
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