Free Program Benefits:
Dogs participating in the Blood Donor Program receive:
- Annual heartworm testing
- Free annual blood work (including complete blood count, serum chemistry profile)
- Tick serology and hemobartonella testing)
- Twelve doses of monthly heartworm, flea, and tick preventative
- Free nail trims every visit
- An "I'm a blood donor!" collar tag
- The knowledge that you've helped to save a life!
Cats participating in the Blood Donor Program receive:
- Annual Felv/FIV/heartworm testing
- Free annual blood work (including complete blood count, serum chemistry profile)
- Twelve doses of monthly of heartworm, flea, and tick preventative
- Free nail trims every visit
- An "I'm a blood donor!" collar tag
- The knowledge that you’ve helped to save a life!
Canine Qualifications
Your dog may be a candidate for our Blood Donor Program if he or she meets the following requirements:
- A friendly disposition.
- Up-to-date on vaccinations for rabies, distemper, parvo, adenovirus, and parainfluenza.
- Between 55 and 100 pounds.
- Currently on heartworm and tick prevention medications.
- Between 1 and 8 years of age.
- Willing to be called at any time.
- Has never received a blood transfusion.
- Is spayed or neutered.
- Females must never have had a litter.
- Has no medical problems.
- Have a normal physical exam on initial evaluation by one of the veterinarians at Bellerose Animal Hospital.
Feline Qualifications
Your cat will need to have certain physical characteristics and meet certain requirements to be considered for the blood donor program.
- Good disposition. Tolerates venipuncture and restraint without sedation.
- Up-to-date on vaccinations for rabies, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia.
- Weigh at least 10 lbs (4.5 kgs).
- Currently on heartworm and tick prevention medications.
- Between 1 to 8 years of age.
- Willing to be called at any time.
- Has never received a blood transfusion.
- Neutered male or spayed nulliparous (never been pregnant) female.
- Should be an indoor-only cat.
- Should not be taking any medications that could pose a problem for a recipient.
- Have a normal physical exam on initial evaluation by one of the veterinarians at Bellerose Animal Hospital.
If your pet meets the criteria, various laboratory tests will be performed to ensure his/her health status and the safety of the blood donor pool. These tests will be done free of charge to you. Some of these tests will be repeated yearly while a member of the donor program.
Laboratory evaluation:
- Blood type determined. (Types A, B and AB exist in cats)
- Normal complete blood count, biochemical profile and urinalysis
- Negative results for the following infectious diseases: Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Heartworm Disease, Bartonella Mycoplasma haemofelis, Tick Serology and hemobartonella
What happens on a donation day?
- Please be on time
- A complete physical exam will be done to make sure there are no problems that would prevent donation that day
- You will sign an authorization and consent for blood donation form
- You may leave your pet if needed based on your schedule, or you may wait in the lobby. Donations take 1 to 2 hours
- A small amount of blood will be obtained for a PCV and total protein
- Blood will be obtained from the jugular vein using a sterile needle, syringe and collection bag
- A bandage will be applied after the donation to allow proper clotting to occur
- Subcutaneous fluids will be offered after the collection to replace volume of blood taken
Meet Our Former Donors
Jet is a fun and loveable Great Dane. She lives with a tiny little Chihuahua who runs the house, a Boxer and some fellow feline friends. She is a hero.
Delilah is a sweet, fun loving Pitbull. She had the opportunity to save the life of one of our long time patients. She is a hero.
Meet one of our Recipients
Kevin was fortunate to receive a blood transfusion donated by Delilah when he was admitted for Histiosarcoma and Bone Marrow Suppression. Thanks to Delilah, after his transfusion, he started to recover steadily and was finally able to go home with his family.