FAQs

Is my dog eligible to become a blood donor?

The Care Center Animal Blood Bank is currently accepting new donor dogs! Ideal candidates are young dogs (1-7 years old), who are very sociable and friendly. Blood donors should not have any serious health issues and should not be on medication (thyroid medication and certain others are OK). We also require that blood donor dogs are up to date on their recommended vaccines, and have monthly flea control and heartworm medication. Since the blood donation process takes about 10-15 minutes, blood donor dogs should be comfortable laying on their side with gentle restraint for this period of time.
What will you test my dog for during the donor screening?

In order to provide the safest blood products available, all potential blood donor dogs are thoroughly screened. The first test is a blood typing test to determine what blood type they have. Just like humans, dogs have different blood types. We look for Universal, Negative and Positive. Positive is the most common blood type. There is a great need for Universal and Negative. Some breeds, such as greyhounds and pit bulls, have a higher percentage of universal donors in the population. We also check blood work to make sure they are overall healthy. We run complete blood count, biochemical profile, heartworm test, and infectious disease screening (for tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease). If the donor dog passes these tests, they are ready for the next step- Donation time. Blood work will be rechecked yearly to make sure the dog is still healthy enough to donate blood.
Do dogs have different blood types than people?

Yes, dogs actually have several different blood types. Their blood groups are called DEA groups (dog erythrocyte antigen) based on the types of proteins on their red blood cells. The most important blood type is DEA 1, and a potential donor dog should be negative for DEA 1 (about 50% of dogs are).
How much blood can my dog donate? How often can they donate blood?

Amounts differ depending on the weight of the dog, ranging from 300ml to 450ml (about a pint).Our donor dogs need to be at least 40 pounds to donate blood. Healthy dogs can regenerate their blood cells and be ready to donate blood every 4-6 weeks, however we only ask our blood donors to come in every 3-4 months.
What happens to the blood after a blood donation?

The collected blood is separated into components – packed red blood cells and fresh plasma (the water component of the blood). By separating the blood into its components, we are able to help more dogs with every transfusion. Each blood donation is processed into 2 units of red blood cells and 1-2 units of plasma, potentially saving the lives of 4 other dogs. The blood is then sold at a nominal fee (to cover the cost of supplies) to local and out of state veterinary hospitals. The Care Center Animal Blood Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not financially benefit from your dog’s blood donation.
What happens to my dog when I bring them for a blood donation?

The first thing we do is take a tiny blood sample from the back leg to make sure your dog’s blood count is high enough to donate. The minimum PCV (red blood cell count) is 40% for most dogs, and 55% for greyhounds. Then we take the dogs into the blood bank area, where they get treats and are allowed to play with toys and become familiar with the room. Blood donations happen with the dog laying on their side on a padded bed, and only takes about 10-15 minutes. The blood donation is collected from one of the jugular veins in the neck, and you may notice a small shaved spot in your dog’s fur (under his collar). Once the donation is complete, the blood donor dog is given a can of food (this helps replace some of the protein), treats, and lots of love!

How will my dog act after a blood donation?

Most dogs will display no obvious effects of donating blood. Unlike humans, dogs have a mobile reservoir of red blood cells in their spleen, and can replace 1/3 of the donated blood immediately. They will regenerate the rest of the blood cells within a couple of days. Occasionally dogs will be tired after coming home, but most dogs are ready to eat, play, and exercise as soon as they get home.
Will my dog be sedated for blood donation?

No, we do not routinely sedate dogs for blood donation. Most dogs are remarkably tolerant of the procedure, especially once they learn there’s food and snacks afterwards! Occasionally some dogs will have an “off” day and not want to cooperate. In these situations, we may decide to cancel the blood donation and just make the visit to the blood bank a “happy visit” with treats and playing. We take our blood donors’ safety and well-being very seriously, and make the experience as pleasant and rewarding as possible. If your dog struggles during restraint or seems anxious/unhappy, we will stop the donation process and try again another day.
What benefits do blood donors receive?

With each blood donation, your dog receives a large bag of dog food. They get a free emergency office call yearly diagnostics and treatment are not included) as well as comprehensive lab testing (cbc,chemistry panel, heartworm) performed annually. In addition, should your dog ever develop an illness and need a blood transfusion, we will provide the blood products at no charge, up to the number of units your dog has donated.
How do I schedule a blood donation appointment?

We typically schedule your dog to come in every 3-4 months. We will schedule the next appointment for you at the time of the donation. We will text you the week before the appointment to allow for any changes. We understand that life happens and we are flexible. The whole process usually takes about 30-45 minutes per dog.
What type of information do you need from me?

When you schedule the blood donation, please let us know if your dog hasn’t been feeling well, is taking a medication, or anything else unusual. With most prescription medications, we will wait to collect a blood donation until they have been off medication for a couple of weeks. This ensures that the donor has adequate time to recover from their illness and is as healthy as possible before giving blood. Also let us know if your pet has travelled out of state, or has been used for breeding since the previous blood donation. In certain circumstances we may send out additional testing for diseases not common in Ohio, or spread by breeding activities.
What if I have additional questions?