Canine/Feline Blood Donation Info

Chester continues to help canines (dogs) and felines (cats) by sharing info compiled.  These are the requirements for canine (dog) or feline (cat) blood donation:

CANINE BLOOD TYPES

While there are at least eight (8) different canine blood groups, dogs are routinely typed for the presence of dog Eeythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 1.1.  

DEA 1.1 NEGATIVE - universal donors;
DEA 1.1 POSITIVE - universal recipients.

FELINE BLOOD TYPES

There are 3 major feline blood groups:  A,  B and AB.    Type A is the most common, and there are no universal donors or recipients.

IDEAL DONORS NEED TO BE

1. Be 1 to 8 years old;
2. Weigh over 20kgs for dogs; or 5kgs for cat;
3. Never been pregnant;
4. Up-to-date with vaccinations;
5. Be on heartworm preventive and tick/flea control medication;
6. Have no history of receiving blood transfusions;
7. No take any medication that could pose a problem for the recipient;
8. Have a good temperament and health;
9. Be able to tolerate collection of blood from a vein and restraint

DONATION PROCESS

After clearing a physical examination and blood tests, donors may be sedated for blood collection, depending on temperament;

A small area of fur is shaved from the neck, and the area is aseptically cleaned;

Blood is collected via the jugular vein with a sterile needle and single-use collection bag. Up to 450ml of blood will be collected from dogs and 55ml from cats;

There may be bruising on the neck which should fade over a few days;

The entire procedure will take about one to two hours;

Blood can be donated every two to three months.

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Compiled from [LINK] Straits Times (20 Mar 2016)

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