The Scoop on Pets
Animal Blood Bank
Has your pet ever had an accident or illness, which caused him to require blood? Did you wonder where the blood came from? Just like human blood banks, there are many animal blood banks across the country. Veterinarians and Pet Emergency centers can acquire blood from these centers, just as hospitals get their blood products from human blood banks. We are very lucky, living in the Lehigh Valley, to have the Valley Central Animal Blood Bank as a resource. My Maggie was a donor for several years, and was recently retired, due to a need for daily medication. Sherman now donates.
Pet blood donation is key to keeping the blood banks stocked with blood. Once the whole blood is collected, it can be separated into packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma, depending on the particular need. The blood and its parts are used for snake bites, pancreatitis, surgeries, accidents, clotting disorders, anemia, and much more.
The actual donation process is quite painless for the pet. Maggie enjoyed going to donate. After the donation is complete, the pet is offered vitamins and a can of wet, tasty food and water, instead of the juice and donuts offered to human donors. The blood bank does a required yearly blood testing, which checks for Lyme, Heartworm and other blood diseases, at no cost to the donor, saving on vet bills. Most banks provide a free toy, bag of treats and heartworm meds and Frontline, also at no charge to the donor. They also provide lots of love to the pet.
If you are considering having your dog donate blood, he must meet the following requirements:
· 1-8 years of age
· Use flea & tick preventative
· Use year-round Heartworm preventative
· Current on all required vaccinations
· At least 50 pounds
· Able to be still for 5 minutes without squirming
· Not on prescription medication
Generally, before your pet’s first donation, he will have an orientation appointment. During the appointment, the initial blood testing will be done, and he will meet the staff, in order to evaluate his comfort level with being kept still for the 5 minutes. Any questions that you have will be answered by the staff, and hopefully, you will be able to schedule your pet’s first blood draw.
If you would like to sign your pet up to donate, contact the Valley Central Emergency Blood Bank at 610-435-5588 ext 110.
Denise Cassidy-Dietsch
Doodie Calls, LLC
This post first appeared on The Voice Of Business - The Chamber Blog - Greater, please read the originial post: here
