Injured Tasmanian wildlife kept going with leftover saline

Leftover saline donations are keeping Tasmanian wildlife going amid a global shortage. Here’s how Red Cross Lifeblood is chipping in.

Tasmanian devil using leftover saline donated by Lifeblood. Picture: supplied

While normally dedicated to supplying lifelines to humans, not-for-profit health service provider Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is helping to save the state’s furry friends.

Saline, often used to maintain blood volume in treatment for both animals and humans, is frequently used by Lifeblood to replace lost fluid during plasma or platelet donations at their donation centres nationwide.

Amid a global saline shortage from manufacturing issues and an increase in demand, many animal and human hospitals are struggling to maintain supply.

This includes the Tasmania Wildlife Hospital in the northern Tasmanian town of Forth, with hospital director Josh Gordon saying they are one of many animal hospitals who have had to ration their saline supply.

“It has been an extremely busy summer and we can go through saline rapidly,” he said.

As part of a new Saline for Vets program, Lifeblood is donating thousands of leftover saline packs to more than 100 vet clinics and animal rescues across the country.

Tasmanian devil getting saline donated by Lifeblood. Picture: supplied

Tasmanian Wildlife Hospital has received up to 60 packs of donated saline from Lifeblood’s

Devonport Donor Centre in the past three months along with the ends of bandage rolls,

which are the perfect size for animals, but too small for humans.

“The donations have meant we could continue to offer the very best care to a wide variety of

sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, including echidnas, Tasmanian devils and wedge-tailed eagles,” Mr Gordon said.

“There’s no doubt many furry and feathered lives have been saved.

“As an added bonus. It is also a great way to reduce waste.”

Lifeblood spokesperson Leanne Murdock said each month Lifeblood has around 5000 partially-used or expired saline packs with 60ml left in the bag that can be used to treat animals.

“Rather than discard saline that can no longer be used in our donor centres, what better way

to reduce waste than to give these much-needed products to vets and carers who are

struggling to treat animals in clinic,” she said.

If you’re an animal health provider and want to get involved in the Saline for Vets program,

call Lifeblood on 13 14 95.

To book a blood or plasma donation, call 13 14 95 or visit Lifeblood’s website.