The Gift of Life:

Dogs saving dogs by donating blood

by Tamra Monahan
Photos by Katie Monahan

Cairo's life was saved by his generosity. After years of donating blood to save the lives of other dogs, this beautiful Greyhound became deathly ill and needed a transfusion to save his own life. Cairo had given part of himself to help his fellow canines, and now he needed help.

In March 2010, Cairo developed canine influenza, an upper respiratory infection that became life threatening in a matter of days. In the veterinary hospital, he was given oxygen and medication, but this was not enough. Cairo needed a plasma transfusion immediately if he was going to survive. Although his owner Marie Price and her husband love their dogs, they were in a difficult situation. Cairo's medical costs had reached almost $3,000 and blood plasma is expensive. As the minutes ticked away, Marie was desperate to save her beloved Greyhound, so she called her friend Missy Jenkins, owner of Rocky Mountain Blood Services. Missy said there was no question: Cairo would get his plasma for free because he had been such a consistent donor and had helped many dogs in the same situation.

After receiving two units of plasma, Cairo made a remarkable recovery and was able to go home the next day. For Marie, coming full circle in the canine blood donation process was an enlightening experience.

"Being a donor is great, but being on the other side and receiving a transfusion that saved his life was incredible," she says. "If it wasn't for Missy and the plasma she gave Cairo, he would have passed. They tried medication and everything, but at that point only plasma could save his life, and it did."

According to emergency care veterinarian Dr. Scott Hafeman, canine blood banks have helped the treatment of dogs by having a supply of blood products available for emergencies and surgeries. In the past, if a dog came into an ER clinic and needed a transfusion, the vet had to call a volunteer to bring in a dog to give blood. The donation could take almost an hour, and every second means life or death for a critically ill dog. Now, most ER clinics and hospitals have blood supplies on hand thanks to canine donors.

"We absolutely rely on blood donors for cats and dogs," Dr. Hafeman says. "I've seen it save lives multiple times. We do a transfusion here at least once a week, and it's a life saving procedure." Dogs have been getting transfusions for years, but a steady supply of blood products through blood banks is relatively new. In 1985, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine started the first voluntary donor program in the United States establishing the basis for most blood banks and donor facilities. By reaching out to the canine community, Penn Vet was able to build up a supply of blood instead of calling in a donor at the last minute, thus saving more dogs.

Another advance in veterinary medicine that has saved lives is the discovery of canine blood types. In 2005, Dr. Kate Hsuen-Wen Chang at the University of Melbourne developed a method of identifying dog blood types, which has enabled dogs to have more than one blood transfusion over a lifetime. Prior to blood typing, dogs could only have one because they developed antibodies to the new blood and another transfusion can cause a severe reaction. By blood typing the recipient first, the vet knows which type of blood to give the dog.

Blood banks have been instrumental in enabling vets to administer the correct type of blood to dogs. According to Rocky Mountain Blood Services owner Missy Jenkins, canine donors are thoroughly screened before giving blood the first time. They're tested for diseases and health issues, as well as blood typed, and only dogs who are healthy and disease-free are accepted. Donor dogs must be at least one year old, weigh a minimum of 45 pounds, and have a mellow temperament. But the most important ingredient is the dog's willingness to donate. If a dog is stressed, Missy won't take blood that day and asks the owner to come again. She always tries a couple of times because as the dog becomes accustomed to the environment, equipment, and process, it usually calms down and realizes there is no danger. However, if a dog never calms enough, Missy won't use it as a donor. She insists the whole procedure be as stress free and positive as possible for the animals. Even if the owner is adamant about his dog being a donor, some don't make the cut.

"I want to make sure the dogs are comfortable because if humans walk into a place and aren't comfortable, they're not going to give blood and it's important for dogs to be at ease too," Missy says. "No matter how much owners want their dogs to be donors, I'm not going to force a dog to do it." Once they get used to the process, donor dogs are eager participants in this life-saving endeavor. By making it a positive experience with lots of love, reassuring pats, and delicious treats, these dogs come to see blood donation as the place for praise and goodies. Marie and her Greyhound Cairo see it as a place for miracles.

"Cairo wouldn't be with us today without the transfusion he received. Donating blood is just as important for dogs as it is for humans."