“Many life-saving treatments rely on donor dogs being available at short notice.”
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Today is National Dog Day Australia, a day designed to encourage dog owners to become more responsible. Which is why I’d like to draw your attention to a really urgent issue: canine blood donation.
Many pet owners are unaware either that their pets can actually donate blood or that pets need transfusions. However, just like humans, pets require a life-saving blood transfusion if they:
- suffer from an auto-immune illness, such as anaemia;
- have experienced trauma or severe injury;
- have severe bleeding associated with surgery;
- have been poisoned.
And with two in five Australian households now owning a dog there is a significantly increasing demand for canine blood donors.
I’d Like You to Meet Jaffa…a very, very lucky dog
This is Jaffa, one of my regular patients, Jaffa, who was suffering from an auto-immune disease and she urgently needed some blood.
When I put the call out to some of my clients who might be able to help, they all braved the awful weather to get their dogs to the emergency hospital…and one dog parent even walked!
Jaffa, ended up having about 9-10 transfusions before she finally turned the corner, and her family wanted to thank the donors.
“We are so extraordinarily grateful that Jaffa’s life has been saved by the wonderfully kind and generous dogs and owners who gave her this much-needed blood. Jaffa (only 4yrs old) is now in remission from her auto-immune disease that would have taken her life, but for this generous gift.
“She is now back to her beautiful, loving and spritely self, reunited with us and our ecstatic 6yr old daughter and embracing life to the max. To Jaffa’s donor families, thank you with all our hearts for your invaluable gift of life.”
Is your dog eligible to donate blood?
Your dog could become a blood donor and help save the life of other dogs in need if your dog:
- Is aged between 1-8 years old (dogs cannot start donating blood after the age of 6, but they can continue up to the age of 8);
- Has a calm and placid disposition and is able to lie still for approx 10 mins;
- Healthy and has no significant current or previous illness;
- Up-to-date with vaccinations, heartworm prevention and worming
- Weighs at least 14kg (preferably over 25kg) and is not overweight;
- Has never received a blood transfusion.
Dogs cannot donate if they have received medications other than flea, tick and heartworm prevention in the past 2 weeks, or if they have travelled outside of Australia
What is the process?
The blood donation process is quite straightforward and it only takes about 10-15 minutes. Equipment used is the same as that for human donations.
1. Prior to your dog’s donation the staff check his health status.
2. A small sample of blood is collected to test your pet’s reaction.
3. Your pet is gently laid on his side on the collection table.
4. You sit at your dog’s head to help alleviate any anxiety and provide reassurance.
5. A small area of his neck is shaved and disinfected.
6. Just under ½ a litre of blood is collected from his jugular vein, which usually takes about 5 minutes.
7. Once the needle is removed, pressure is applied to the collection site to stop bleeding.
8. Your dog will received lots of yummy treats and plenty of praise.
You will need to notify the staff if you notice dizziness or nausea immediately following donation or if the blood collection site is swollen or bleeding. And for the next 24 hours provide plenty of drinking water and don’t allow strenuous exercise.
Where can I donate?
If you think your dog might be suitable, contact your mobile vet so we can assess your dog for suitability and also so we know can call on you when we need a donation.
Another option is to donate on a regular basis to a veterinary surgery that collects blood – your dog can donate up to 4 times a year, potentially saving the life of 12 other dogs!
If you contact your mobile vet we can put you in touch with the nearest blood collection surgery to you.
Does blood type matter?
All dogs, regardless of breed essentially have a single type of blood antigen, but several variants of it.
Typically you don’t have to cross match if you need to give multiple transfusions in the first 2-3 days, but after that you need to cross match as the body starts to develop antibodies and will break down the donor blood if not matched. Ideally you would cross match the first batch of blood, though it is not absolutely necessary.
Cats are a completely different story and you can kill a cat if you don’t match the first transfusion…but that’s another topic for another
Canine blood donation is a wonderful gift that saves lives
I’d like to give a huge shout out and thank you to the 4 special pets who helped save Jaffa’s life: Moro, Daisy (who looks exactly like Jaffa and is another Airedale Terrier), Skerrick, and Coby.
And on this National Dog Day I’d also like to ask you to consider donating your pet’s blood to save another’s life.
Key Takeaways
- Blood donation is often critical in emergencies
Dogs may require transfusions for trauma, illness or surgery-related complications. - Not all dogs are eligible to donate
Health, age, weight and temperament all determine suitability. - The process is straightforward and short
Most donations take about 10–15 minutes and cause minimal discomfort. - Demand for donor dogs is increasing
Many cases rely on donations at the time of an emergency due to limited supply.
In-Home Services
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Debby Ross
First visit from Ari and Ellie and it went beyond all expectations. They were so genuinely interested in my two cats. Of course I couldn’t stop talking about them but they clearly were not bored. Did excellent health checks and vaccinations – was an absolute pleasure and I would totally recommend them to anybody. So fabulous having no stress of lugging…
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Amanda Yeates
Ari is the best vet ever. His home visits are incredible. Such a great service to not have to put your beloved pets in the stressful situation of a car. Or around sick pets in a waiting area. My cats LOVE HIM. Ollie my male cat NEVER comes out of hiding when visitors come over. With Ari, he not only came out, let him weigh him, have his check up done…
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do dogs need blood transfusions?
Dogs may need blood transfusions after trauma, surgery complications, poisoning or certain illnesses such as anaemia. These situations can involve significant blood loss or reduced red blood cell function. Transfusions help stabilise the dog while treatment continues.
How do I know if my dog can donate blood?
Dogs need to meet specific criteria, including age, weight, health status and temperament. They must be calm, healthy and up to date with vaccinations and parasite prevention. A vet assessment is required to confirm suitability.
What happens during a dog blood donation?
The process involves a health check, a small test sample and then blood collection from the jugular vein. Dogs are gently positioned and monitored throughout, with owners present to help keep them calm. The collection itself usually takes only a few minutes.
Is blood donation safe for dogs?
Blood donation is generally safe when the dog meets the eligibility criteria and is properly assessed beforehand. After donation, dogs are monitored and advised to rest and stay hydrated. Any concerns after donation should be reported to the veterinary team.
How often can a dog donate blood?
Dogs can donate multiple times per year, depending on their health and condition. Some dogs may donate up to 4 times a year. Each donation can help several other dogs.
Where can I arrange for my dog to donate blood?
You can start by contacting a mobile vet to assess your dog’s suitability. They can also connect you with veterinary clinics or facilities that collect blood. In many cases, donations are organised in response to an emergency.