Canine Blood Bank Outpatient Donor Program
Frequently Asked questions
The canine blood bank requires donors for its outpatient blood donor program. We are very pleased to have support from over 200 donors for this important community service. It is one of the few such programs in the world.
- What happens at your first visit?
- What is involved in collecting blood from my dog?
- Are there any adverse effects of blood donation for my dog?
- What will be done with the blood once it is collected?
- I would like to apply?
- How do I find out more?
What happens at your first visit?
Your first visit to the University's Veterinary Clinic and Hospital at Werribee or one of our satellite clinics is to establish base-line data on your dog, thus confirming his/her suitability as a blood donor. This assessment will include a clinical examination, the collection of a blood sample, and the verification of current vaccination, worming and heartworm prevention status. We will also take a first blood donation from your dog providing he/she is assessed to be in good health on examination and that the on-the-spot blood tests which rule out anaemia are within normal range.
The remaining blood sample will subsequently be analysed in the laboratory, to check that your dog has normal haematology (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets), normal biochemistry (looking at various aspects of kidney, liver and endocrine function), normal blood clotting and is negative for heartworm. These results will be available within 10 days. There will be no charge for this examination or blood testing.
If any abnormalities are detected, we will contact you (and your usual veterinarian) so that arrangements can be made to investigate the problem further. Such investigation would be at your expense. The dog would not be considered as a blood donor until he/she returns to normal health.
Dogs who pass this initial screening process will be invited to become regular blood donors. We will notify your usual veterinarian of your involvement and blood test results for their records.
We hope that regular blood donors can visit the Veterinary Clinic and Hospital, or one of the satellite clinics, once every 3 months for a donation. Donors must be maintained on heartworm prevention to ensure Heartworm Disease is not passed on through their donations.
What is involved in collecting blood from my dog?
Your dog will need to be fasted overnight. This means that he/she must not eat anything after midnight the night before the donation. Water may be provided throughout this period.
You will need to be able to spend about 45 minutes at the clinic for the donation.
On arrival, your dog will be given a physical examination and a blood sample will be collected to ensure that he/she is not anaemic. It will take about 5-10 minutes to obtain these results.
The actual blood collection procedure is similar to that used in people. The blood is collected in a sterile manner. This requires that we clip some hair from the neck (over the jugular vein) and disinfect the area with antiseptic. The dog is required to lie quietly on his/her side, while the needle attached to the blood pack is inserted into the vein and the pack is filled. This will take about 6-9 minutes. A total of 450 ml of blood is collected. The pack is then stored for processing and your dog is observed for about 5-10 minutes, to ensure that there is no bleeding from the venepuncture site.
Are there any adverse effects of blood donation for my dog?
The blood collection procedure is very safe. Large dogs (over 25 kg) are readily able to donate 450 ml of blood.
The cells will be replaced by the bone marrow over the next few days. Nevertheless, we recommended that your canine companion be given a few days of rest from strenuous exercise after donating a pack of blood.
What will be done with the blood once it is collected?
The blood pack is spun in a large centrifuge, to separate the cells from the liquid portion (or plasma). The red blood cells are then stored, for up to 6 weeks, in a refrigerator until required. They are used to treat a variety of anaemias. The most common cause of anaemia is blood loss (haemorrhage) from trauma. All the plasma products are frozen until required. They are used to treat a variety of disorders of blood clotting, including haemophilia, von Willebrand disease and accidental poisoning with rat-baits.
I would like to apply?
Please fill in the history questionnaire (PDF) and return to the canine blood bank. A nurse will then contact you to discuss your dog's health and organise a suitable time and location for collection.
How do I find out more?
For more information contact:
Canine Blood Bank
Department of Veterinary Clinic & Hospital
University of Melbourne
250 Princes Highway
Werribee VIC 3030
Phone: (03) 9731 2328
Fax: (03) 9731 2377
Email: k9-bloodbank@unimelb.edu.au