A blood donation from a pet can mean helping the life of a sick or injured pet. As a tertiary care institution, the types of patients we treat depend upon the benefits of blood transfusions and transfusion medicine. Therefore, we depend upon a healthy pool of donor pets. Both dogs and cats can be blood donors as long as they meet the minimum criteria:

Dogs:
Are healthy, happy and have a good disposition Are between 1 and 6 years old
Are greater than 50 pounds
Do not have any medical conditions that would exclude them from being a donor Current on vaccines
Will lay or stand still for 10 minutes

Cats:
Are healthy, happy and have a good disposition Are between 1 and 6 years old Are greater than 10 pounds, preferably over 12 pounds
Are indoor only as well as all other housemates Do not have any medical conditions that would exclude them from being a donor Current on vaccines Are safe to be anesthetized

Do dog's and cats have blood types?

Yes. Dogs and cats have blood types and the donor status is important to identify. The blood type in dogs is determined by the molecules on the surface of the red blood cells. There are at least 6 different blood types in dogs. The most important and commonly tested type is DEA 1.1. A pet's DEA 1.1 status is either Negative or Positive. Dogs have a "Universal" blood type- Commonly known as DEA 1.1 Negative (along with being Negative in other DEA types). Some breeds are more commonly "Universal" donors such as Greyhounds, Boxers, Irish Wolfhounds, German Shepherds, Dobermans and Pit Bulls. These donors can often donate their blood to any pet. The majority of the canine population is DEA 1.1 Positive. Dogs that are DEA 1.1 Positive should only donate their blood to DEA 1.1 Positive recipients.

Cats have 3 blood types- A, B and AB. Most cats in the United States are Type A. Type B cats are more breed specific- usually Cornish or Devon Rex and Exotic or British Short hair. It is very important to know the blood type of a donor cat because an incompatible transfusion is far more serious (sometimes fatal). Even more uncommon are Type AB cats- Scottish fold, Birman, Somali, Bengal and Abyssinians. These patients can receive either type of blood product safely. Type AB cats cannot be blood donors.

What do I need to do to get into the program?

Once it is determined that your pet meets the initial requirements (stated above), blood work and temperament testing is scheduled.

Your regular/ family veterinarian will need to collect appropriate samples and perform the following baseline tests once your pet passes temperament testing (within the last 2 months or within the next 10 days):
Superchem
CBC
Urinalysis
Fecal
Heartworm Test
FELV/FIV (cats only)

If your pet passes temperament testing, blood work will be run by our office to test for blood type and a battery of infectious diseases. You will be called when the final results arrive, usually in about 2 weeks. Once your pet is blood typed and determined to be clear of infectious disease, an appointment will be scheduled for his/her blood donation. We ask that all owners/donors commit to a 3-year program or a total of 12 donations. Your pet can safely donate a unit of blood every 3 months or 4 times per year.

What are the benefits to being in the program?

In addition to the bragging rights that go along with saving another pet's life, your pet will be thoroughly tested at no charge for blood type and infectious disease. During the first visit, you dog will receive a Purple Heart collar tag affirming that he/she is a lifesaver. Your pet's picture will also be taken and placed on our "Wall of Heroes". Each time your pet donates, he/she will be examined and treated with a play session prior to donation so that the process is a fun experience. After donating, your pet will be fed. A bag of food is given with each visit. Annually, your pet will receive a birthday card to mark another milestone in his/her life. In the event that your pet ever needs a transfusion, he/she will be able to have a transfusion, performed at PBVS, at no cost to the owner equal to each unit of blood donated (i.e.: 2 units given = 2 units at no cost).

How long does it take to collect the blood?

The collection process is similar to that used with people- it is dependent upon the patient and environment. We only accept dogs with a good "donation" disposition and that easily tolerate the donation process. We want to ensure the donation process is pleasant. Most donations take 10 minutes. We ask that patients remain at the hospital for 30 minutes after donation so that they can be monitored and fed prior to leaving. Cats will need to remain at the hospital until they are awake from their sedation.

Is the process painful?

No. Donation is done on large dogs that have good veins and any easy-going disposition. Therefore they are able to tolerate the needle necessary to obtain the blood. Dogs that do not tolerate the blood donation process well are not allowed to continue on the program. Cats generally will not tolerate the blood draw without sedation. Consequently, they are are unaware of the donation process.

Can I be present when my dog donates?

We welcome owners to be present during the physical examination prior to donation. However, experience has found that donor's behave better when their owners are not present. Our staff is well trained in handling patients for blood donation. Therefore, we ask that owners not be present during the actual donation process. We do allow you to be present following the procedure during the 30-minute observation period.

What happens to the blood after it is collected?

Since blood has a limited shelf life, we process it to the most effectively utilized product. The blood is separated into its 2 key components- plasma and packed red blood cells. Each component can be used to treat specific disease processes or disorders. A unit of blood can be broken down into 2 units of packed red blood cells and 2 units of plasma. This means for each dog that donates 1 unit of blood, there is the possibility to treat 4 patients! This is an amazing gift you and your pet are offering. Each unit of packed red blood cells is marked with a picture of your pet to show who donated the unit. Packed red blood cells can be refrigerated for up to 5 weeks and fresh frozen plasma can be stored for 1 year.

Will my pet be able to do the things he/she loves like going to the beach or park?

YES! All blood donors can enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle such as going to the beach or park. We recommend that dogs forgo strenuous activity for 24 hours after donating. We require all cats and their housemates be maintained INDOORS only lest they become exposed to infectious diseases that would disqualify them from the program.

How will I know that it is my pet's turn to donate?

We plan to have your pet donate every 3 months. A nurse from the blood bank will call you 2 weeks prior to donation to check on your pet's health status and set up a donation appointment. In the event that you will not be available during your regularly scheduled donation time, we ask that you contact the blood bank to make alternate arrangements.

How do I become a donor?

Please contact a member of the blood bank program either by phone to (561)-434-5700 or email at FloridaAnimalBlood@PalmBeachVetSpecialists.com.

Please click here to download The Florida Animal Blood & Tissue Bank FAQ's