Donating blood for pets is easy for local dogs and cats

BluePearl Pet Hospital seeks pet blood donations from eligible canines and felines.

By Bailey Josie • January 14, 2024 6:55 am
Courtesy photo. Pet blood donation shortages have been low since the pandemic began.
Courtesy photo. Pet blood donation shortages have been low since the pandemic began.

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Even if someone may not know their exact blood type, they do know that donating blood is an option that can save human lives.

But what about pet lives?

Like humans, cats and dogs need blood transfusions. According to BluePearl Pet Hospital, of which there is a location in Renton, the need for pet blood donations is greater than ever because of the increased demand for emergency and specialty veterinary care.

“As the World Health Organization says, ‘blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person,’ and the same goes for pets,” said Meghan Respess, director of blood banking at BluePearl.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, low pet blood donation has been a problem across the nation, as one Nebraska family had to travel out-of-state for their dog to get a blood transfusion in 2022.

According to the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, common reasons for a dog or a cat to need a blood transfusion are anemia, blood loss due to an accident or injury, clotting disorders due to liver disease, bleeding from accidental ingestion of poison, autoimmune and other diseases that cause the body to destroy its red blood cells, or hemophilia or other hereditary bleeding problems.

“Our objective is to raise awareness that pet blood donations are an option and, hopefully, to encourage pet owners to take their cat or dog to donate if they are eligible,” said Respess. “We would love to welcome your pet at any one of our BluePearl Blood Banks across the country, but our primary objective is to encourage donations wherever it is convenient for pet owners so we as an industry can help as many pets as possible.”

Dogs and cats that donate blood at BluePearl are considered “heroes.” Eligible pets at the blood bank in Renton receive several benefits after donation, such as a complimentary initial pre-screening and annual lab work every year the pet participates in the blood donor program, a complimentary physical exam by a licensed veterinarian to ensure a clean bill of health at every donation, other tailored swag and giveaways along with plenty of treats and affection at each donation.

At the BluePearl Pet Hospital Blood Bank in Renton, these are the donor eligibility requirements.

CANINE

• Between 1- 8 years old.

• Weigh 50 pounds or more.

• Be considered healthy based on a complete physical exam and blood work.

• Be friendly, calm and have a good disposition.

• Be on year-round heartworm, tick, and flea preventatives .

• Be current on Rabies and DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza) vaccines (additional vaccines may be required based on geographic location).

• Some chronic medications are permitted on a case-by-case basis.

• Due to the concern for salmonella transmission via transfusion, dog must not be on a raw diet.

• Not have received a blood transfusion.

FELINE

• Between 1- 8 years old.

• Weigh 10 pounds or more.

• Be an indoor-only cat.

• Be considered healthy based on a complete physical exam and blood work.

• Be friendly, calm, and have a good disposition.

• Be on year-round heartworm, tick, and flea preventatives.

• Be current on rabies and FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia) vaccines (additional vaccines may be required based on geographic location).

• Some chronic medications are permitted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your local blood bank for a list of permitted medications.

• Due to the concern for salmonella transmission via transfusion, cat must not be on a raw diet

• Not have received a blood transfusion

For more information, visit bluepearlvet.com/blood-bank.