August 21, 2024
K-State's canine blood donor program in need of volunteers
The Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University has a community-based volunteer canine blood donor program to provide life-saving blood products for use in hospitalized patients.
Like people, dogs have diseases or injuries that require blood transfusions. Blood loss through anemia, toxins and trauma are all conditions in which a patient could benefit from blood products. The center's volunteer blood donor program helps meet transfusion needs of the patients. The demand for blood products for our patients increases every year, which prompts the need for more volunteer blood donors so every patient in need can be treated.
Donors who meet the requirements can safely donate a unit of blood every eight weeks. Each donation can save up to two dogs.
Benefits to the canine blood donor include:
- Heartworm prevention
- Flea/tick preventives
- Annual vaccinations
- Annual CBC/Chemistry
- Urinalysis and fecal
- One bag of dog food after each donation
Want to meet a canine blood donor? Watch this video of a canine meet and greet between the blood donor and recipient.
Please consider if your dog(s) could be a volunteer canine blood donor. If you would like more information about the program and how your dog(s) could help save lives, contact us at vhcblooddonor@vet.k-state.edu