It’s a ruff job, but somebody’s got to do it.
U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital needs more canine blood donors for the hospital’s dog blood bank.
The blood bank, which has been running for more than two years, is the only vet clinic in Victoria that can process blood donations into plasma and red cells, meaning a single donation could potentially save the lives of three dogs.
Blood donor program co-ordinator Kerry Bozicevic said that recently three-year-old cocker spaniel Sophi was brought to the hospital in a critical condition after accidentally eating rat poison and was saved with a blood transfusion from a six-year-old Neopolitan mastiff named Bronson.
“The contribution of pet owners volunteering their dogs to donate blood is an irreplaceable life-line for many sick and injured dogs,” Ms Bozicevic said.
“We need regular donors to ensure our 24-hour emergency and critical care has a blood supply available for immediate use.
“The products are used to treat patients on-site at the clinic. They can be used to treat various conditions, from clotting problems to blood loss from trauma and disease.”
Donor dogs must weigh more than 25 kilograms, be between one and seven years old and fully vaccinated, and have a clean bill of health and a calm temperament.
For more information, call 9731 2328 or email uom-blood-donor-program@unimelb.edu.au
