Blood transfusions in dogs and cats are needed for a variety reasons:

• Blood loss following trauma (hit by car)
• Babesiosus (tick bite fever)
• Rodenticide toxicity (rat poison)
• Splenectomies (spleen removal) due to splenic masses (cancers) and subsequent blood loss
• Immune-mediated anaemias

Dogs have 8 blood groups and cats have 3 blood groups. Our donor dogs are typed for the most important blood group (DEA 1.1) that is associated with transfusion reactions. In order to donate blood, dogs must be:

• Docile and not nervous to be at the vet
• Over 25kg
• Between 1-8 years old
• Up to date with their vaccinations
• Must be negative for infectious diseases

Donors are not used more than once every 6 weeks and blood collected can only be stored for 4 weeks.

Craighall Veterinary Hospital is proud to be part of the “Veterinary Anaesthesia Analgesia and Critical Care Services Blood Bank” in which regular blood drives are held in order to supply veterinary practices in Gauteng with life-saving blood products. We are also able to call on our own blood donors when needed to collect blood and treat our own patients in emergencies.

Thank you to our very special heroes of Craighall Veterinary Hospital!