Gold Coast pet owners urged to register cats and dogs as blood donors

Pets are often part of our families but there is an urgent plea to make sure that can continue.

Gold Coast pet owners are being urged to register their pets as blood donors as supplies fall to critical levels.

Animal Emergency Centre (AEC) Gold Coast vet nurse Sarah Mattey said, just like us, animals desperately relied on blood donations in a medical emergency.

“Our supplies are running extremely low which makes it difficult for our team to provide the best possible care for our patients,” she said.

“Accessing blood on short notice is not always possible for a couple of reasons – pets don’t have a national blood bank like we do for humans, and dogs and cats can only donate so much blood at one time.

Vet nurse Sarah-May Mattey with Salami the 14 year old Fox Terrier X and her owner Narlena Johnson (left). Salami was saved thanks to another donor. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“By having a group of willing donors on call we can ensure that we have ample supply for when our patients need it the most.”

Runaway Bay resident Narlena Johnson said, if it wasn’t for pet blood donations, she would’ve lost her 11-year-old fox terrier cross Salami.

A month ago, Salami faced a life-threatening medical emergency and was referred to AEC Gold Coast by her regular vet who had identified a large tumour on her spleen.

“She’s my entire world,” Ms Johnson said.

“I was absolutely beside myself.

“You know when somebody goes grey? That’s what she looked like, but the little puppy version. She had no light in her eyes.

“The vet said there was a high chance that she was not going to make it – a really high chance — and then halfway through the surgery she said we might need to euthanise on the table.”

Vet nurse Sarah-May Mattey with Salami the 14 year old Fox Terrier X . Salami was saved thanks to another donor. Picture: Glenn Hampson

With the limited blood supply available, the vet team was able to administer a transfusion that saved Salami’s life.

“If they did not have the blood, she would have bled out on the table,” Ms Johnson said.

“I can’t even explain how I felt. It was horrible.

“I’m grateful for AEC, for the blood donation and to pet owners who register their animals.”

Dog blood donors must be in good health, weigh more than 25kg, be aged between two and seven years, and be up-to-date with all vaccinations, worming and external parasite control.

Cat blood donors must be healthy, weigh more than 4kg, be aged between one and five years, and be up-to-date with all vaccinations, worming and external parasite control.

If you think your pet might be a suitable donor call AEC Gold Coast on 5593 4544.

Originally published as Gold Coast pet owners urged to register cats and dogs as blood donors