Truro Veterinary Hospital is creating a Canine Blood Donor list. We are looking for dogs to serve as emergency blood donors.

Can Your Dog Donate?
We are looking for dogs who:
 weigh 23 kg or more but are not overweight
 are aged between 1-8 years
 are up to date on vaccines
 are in general good health and of good temperment
 if female – are spayed and have no previous litters (pregnant dogs/dogs with previous litters may have antibodies that cause severe reactions)

Why Become a Canine Blood Donor?
As a Canine Blood Donor, your dog can help us save lives. Some conditions that may require blood transfusions are:
Trauma from motor vehicle accidents
Supportive therapy during and after surgery
Treating parvovirus infections
Supporting dogs with bleeding disorders such as vonWillebrand’s disease and Hemophilia
Treating anemia
Treating dogs that have eaten rat poison

What Do We Need From You And Your Dog?
We are looking for participants who are willing to be contacted at any time in the event that we need an emergency blood donation. Your dog will need some wellness testing, such as blood tests and a urinalysis. We will also need all of our blood donors to be up to date on their vaccines and to have tested negative for heartworm. When first registering with the program, Truro Veterinary Hospital will help with some of the costs associated with these procedures.

What Happens When Your Dog Donates?
During the procedure a small area of your dog’s neck will be shaved and the blood will be collected from the jugular vein. In some cases sedation may be necessary to keep your dog calm for the procedure, which takes about 5 minutes. We will collect one unit of blood (approximately 450 mL). The procedure is not painful and should have no long-term effects on your pet’s health.