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The overwhelming need for canine blood donations can be resolved with awareness and education, such as sharing this website, which is a centralized location for people to find information about where they can take their dogs to become a blood donor!
People have been unaware of the need for canine blood donations because information has not been widely marketed to promote the need for volunteers.
There is a need for canine blood donations both locally and nationally because there are not enough dog owners volunteering their pets to be screened for donation.
There will always be a need for canine blood donations. “While canine blood donor requirements vary across states and programs, the need is constant” (AKC, 2021).
Dogs that are current blood donors can age out or become unable to continue to meet the donor requirements.
“As of 2023, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet. Dogs are the most popular pet in the U.S. (65.1 million U.S. households own a dog)” (Forbes, 2023). Many dogs are beloved family pets where their owners take great care in their health. If there is a need of a canine blood product in order to save or benefit a life, a willing dog owner may find out there is none available.
There is a national shortage of safe and blood-type compatible blood for both companion and working animals. “While there are few national animal blood banks, the ever-increasing need for canine blood and blood products has resulted in several regional programs, including banks in Maryland, Florida, Michigan, Texas, Colorado, California, Georgia, and Pennsylvania” (AKC, 2021).
“Dogs need blood transfusions or blood product components for several reasons such as blood loss, surgery, trauma or injuries, diseases, and genetic disorders” (MSU, 2023).
Dogs also have different blood types, just like people. There are over 13 canine blood groups and eight DEA types are recognized as international standards (NIH.gov). Some dogs are “universal blood donors”, similar to people.
Dog owners can volunteer their dogs to donate blood in specific veterinary hospitals and blood banks across the country that are equipped with the proper resources. Besides receiving goodwill, some clinics offer additional incentives to donate, like free veterinary services.
Dogs that fulfill the screening requirements are able to donate blood. These donor requirements for dogs vary for each state/clinic.
Dogs can donate up to one pint of blood per donation. One donation consisting of one pint of blood can go into five blood product components or “blood patients”, therefore saving from two to five dogs’ lives. Larger dogs use more volume of blood products (OVRS Interview, 2023).
Dogs can donate blood approximately every two to three months, which can vary for each state/clinic.
It takes approximately 20 minutes per canine blood donation, which is performed safest and best while awake using the jugular vein (MSU, 2023).
A notification system has been developed to determine the availability of accessible canine blood product inventory between blood banks nationwide. A centralized communication structure had not previously existed according to Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) Hospital Administrator, Jim Thompson (OVRS Interview, 2023).
AKC Canine Health Foundation - Canine Blood Donation