Blood Donors Save Dogs Lives, Too

Here’s something that’s not always on your radar…doggy blood donors.  A vet in Idaho has set up a canine blood bank where dogs can save other dogs lives.

Time is always the enemy when a life-saving transfusion is needed, so when a 100lb Rottweiler came in with internal bleeding, the vet knew that if he had had to rely on the only other option, getting blood from California, a 24 hour process, the dog would have died.  Instead he had blood from a dog that had already been screened in October and was able to get the transfusion done in the window of opportunity available. 

Adam Petersen started the Hemolife Program which will test any dog meeting the size, health, and age requirements at no charge. He currently has seven dogs in the program.  What is especially smart and equitable is that each dog accepted into the program receives up to $300 of vet cost credit per year.

The owner of the donor dog is this case, Kelly Andrus, said what most of us might think: When you go to the vet in an emergency you expect, somehow, they will have the life-saving blood your dog needs. That is not always the case.

I know what I’ll be doing tomorrow…my vet will be getting a call.  Do you know if you have such a program in your area?  Let me know if you do. Maybe this bit of information will get the ball rolling in places that don’t have easy or timely access to blood.  Read the Associated Press story here

one more thing…

Just a quick note–the “Chocolate Lab” event for Lake Shore Animal Shelter was a great success and thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the chocolate extravaganza.  You may have enjoyed those chocolate martinis, but you also helped raise much needed medical funds.  Marg @Everwalking asked how we felt now that it was over, and I think this just about sums it up:

All done!