In This Issue
It's a Dog's Life
Canine blood donors give the gift of life at Ontario Veterinary College
BY CATHERINE BIANCO
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| Veterinary technician Stephanie Roberts checks out Lennox, who is happy and healthy today thanks to OVC's canine blood donor program. Photo by Martin Schwalbe |
Lennox was obviously in pain when he arrived at the Ontario Veterinary College Teaching Hospital in August 2008. Diagnosed with a twisted bowel, the five-year-old boxer needed immediate surgery and many units of blood for severe gastrointestinal bleeding that had started the night before.
After a two-week stay in the intensive-care unit, Lennox went home with a clean bill of health. The blood he needed during his stay in ICU was available because of the dogs that participate in OVC's blood donor program.
“This was one of the most traumatic things I've been through,” says Patty Wright of Kitchener, Lennox 's owner. “I'm so grateful for the donated blood from the dogs in the canine blood donor program. Thanks to them, Lennox is alive and well.”
Each year, OVC's small-animal clinic gives more than 500 blood transfusions to dogs undergoing surgery or chemotherapy as well as to some patients in the ICU. One blood donation from a dog can help up to four different patients.
“We're always looking for new canine blood donors,” says OVC registered veterinary technician Ramona Fowler. “We're looking for healthy dogs from one to five years old that weigh at least 25 kilograms (55 pounds) and are friendly and good-natured.”
Like humans, dogs have several unique blood types, but a dog with blood type A-negative is considered a universal donor. German shepherds, hounds, boxers, Great Danes, Dobermans and greyhounds often have this blood type, says Fowler.
Donors usually provide five or six donations a year. In return, they receive dog food, treats and some complimentary veterinary services.
Today Lennox is happy and healthy, but Wright still remembers her drive from Kitchener to Guelph that August morning.
“I wasn't sure Lennox was going to make it. Thank you so much to all those dogs — and their owners — whose generosity saved his life.”
For more information about the canine blood donor program, call Ext. 56476 or visit www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/hospital/blooddonor.