The need for life-saving blood transfusions for dogs has never been greater, with veterinarians on the Northern Beaches urgently seeking blood donors to help save the lives of animals in critical care.
Samson, a nine-year-old Kelpie and the beloved pet of a veterinarian at SASH Northern Beaches, recently donated blood to help another animal in need. The donation process, which typically takes about five minutes, was a bit stressful for Samson, as he was also subjected to a nail trim, a grooming aspect he’s not fond of. However, the staff at Balgowlah SASH Vets made the process as comfortable as possible, and within minutes, a bag of blood was ready to help another dog in need.
While nearly all of the current donors at the clinic are staff pets, the demand for donations is rising, and SASH Vets is calling on locals to volunteer their dogs. Dr. Stephanie Leeder, Blood Bank Director at SASH Vets, emphasized the importance of ensuring donor dogs are happy and healthy. “We are picky with the dogs that we let into the program because we never want to hurt a donor,” she said. Dogs are given light anxiety medication if needed, and any dog that is too nervous to donate is not asked to return.
For dogs to be eligible, they must meet certain criteria, including being healthy, up-to-date on vaccinations, and weighing at least 14 kg (ideally over 25 kg). Larger dogs are preferred, as they can donate more blood, potentially saving multiple lives. Cats also need blood donations but tend to require anesthesia due to their nervous nature.
Transfusions are crucial for dogs undergoing surgeries, dealing with autoimmune diseases, or experiencing blood loss from accidents. The blood is separated into red blood cells and plasma and stored for up to 30 days. Any unused blood is sent to other SASH clinics in Sydney.
Pet owners who volunteer their dogs receive rewards such as dog food or flea treatments, as well as a full medical exam and blood work, typically valued at hundreds of dollars. By donating, pet owners help ensure that critically ill dogs in the community receive the care they need to survive.
Dr. Leeder expressed her excitement about being part of the Northern Beaches community and called on locals with larger, healthy dogs to consider becoming regular donors. “There’s a huge capacity in the Northern Beaches area to help save other dogs in the ICU,” she said.
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