WE WELCOME YOU AND YOUR

COMPANION TO HELP OTHERS IN NEED 

The Sechelt Animal Hospital runs a blood bank for animals who need emergency blood transfusions. Blood is a life saving product and healthy donors are in great demand.

LEFT: This is Rufus. He is one of our main Blood donors and has saved many other animals lives.

LEFT: Kodi, a Malamute cross owned by Brent Currey survived an emergency surgery thanks to a blood transfusion from Jackson (BELOW), one of Kerri Sundstroms Golden Retrievers. Kerri is one of the RAHT's and our Practice Manager here at the hospital.

 
Pets need transfusions for the same reasons that humans do, including surgery, trauma and disease. Donation is a simple procedure and dogs do not usually require anesthesia or sedation.The donation process generally takes up to 20 minutes and dogs do not need to fast before donating.

Blood donation is relatively painless. Blood is drawn from a small area on the neck using a collection bag exactly like those utilised for human donation.

 
Blood donors generally do not donate more than once every 3 months .  Many of the staff members have dogs and cats that donate on a regular basis however we have seen that the need for donors is exceeding the number of staff animals available. Creating a blood bank that is supplied by a larger number of pets will make it possible for us to save more lives.

Requirements for Dog Donors are; 

Between the ages of 2-7 years of age, 25 kg (55lbs) or more, calm in nature, friendly, healthy with all vaccines up to date and spayed or neutered. Donors must also be available to get to the hospital on short notice.

 

 Cats require anesthesia for blood donation and those who satisfy the following criteria can donate blood. The ideal Cat Donor is:

Between the ages of 2 and 10
Current on vaccines
Not taking any medications
Is strictly indoors
Weighs at least 8 pounds
Has never been pregnant and is spayed and neutered
Is free from blood-born parasites and disease such as feline leukemia

 Our resident cat, Tank has been a blood donor for cats in need here at the Sechelt Animal Hospital. 

In return for your companion donating blood, the Sechelt Animal Hospital will provide a free health check up and blood typing. If you are interested in learning more about the program or having your dog or cat become a blood donor, please contact Samantha (RAHT) or Kerri (RAHT/Office Manager) here at the hospital.

604-885-2309

 sah@dccnet.com