The Lifesaving Potential of Canine Blood Donations

In critical situations, such as severe illnesses or accidents, dogs may require blood transfusions. However, the availability of suitable canine blood donors is diminishing. Many dogs do not meet the stringent criteria necessary to become donors.

Recently, at the small animal clinic of the Free University of Berlin, a dog named Sami prepared to donate blood. His owner provided comfort as veterinary staff readied him for the procedure, which involved shaving a small area on his neck to access the jugular vein. With expert care, a needle was inserted, and approximately 300 milliliters of blood were collected. Notably, the equipment used is adapted from human medicine, as specific veterinary materials are not yet available.

Blood donations from dogs can indeed save lives, as emphasized by Sami's owner, who had previously faced a situation where her other dog required a transfusion but struggled to find a donor. When approached about Sami's potential donation, she quickly agreed, recognizing the importance of such acts.

The animal clinic at the Free University was the first in Germany to establish a blood bank for dogs back in 1996. The amount of blood a dog can donate varies based on its size; a 20-kilogram dog typically donates around 200 milliliters, and larger breeds can contribute more. A dog can safely donate blood approximately every three months.

To qualify as a donor, dogs must meet several criteria: they should be friendly, not overly anxious, healthy, fully grown, and up to date on vaccinations and deworming. Importantly, dogs imported from southern or southeastern Europe are usually excluded due to the risk of transmitting infectious diseases that can complicate the donation process.

The clinic conducts tests for tick-borne infections commonly found in the Berlin area to ensure safety. The goal is to provide a secure blood product for transfusions, which typically cost between 200 and 250 euros. However, due to the increasing number of imported dogs in Germany, it has become more challenging to find suitable donors.

As veterinary medicine advances, the demand for blood transfusions in dogs is on the rise. Conditions necessitating a transfusion are similar to those in humans and include immune deficiencies, blood loss from coagulation disorders, tumors, and injuries. Blood types must also be taken into account, and in cases of specific coagulation disorders, only blood plasma may be needed.

While the clinic maintains registries of donor dogs, these lists can quickly become outdated if the dogs move or are no longer available. The blood collected is often separated into plasma and red blood cells, allowing one donation to help multiple dogs in need.

After his successful donation, Sami was in good spirits. His owner noted that he handled the experience well, describing him as initially nervous but later calm. As a token of appreciation, the clinic provided a package of dry dog food to Sami and his owner.