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GFNJ/RED BANK VETERINARY
BLOOD SCREENING & DONATION PROGRAM
Greyhound Friends of NJ has partnered with Red Bank Veterinary to have eligible greys become blood donors.
To do that, we first need to find greys who meet the donation criteria.
This requires bloodwork, urine and fecal exams, as well as a physical (please see below).
2/8/2010 All of these are free and conducted at the Tinton Falls Red Bank Veterinary facility.
179 Hance Avenue
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
(732) 747-3636
We are looking to schedule our next screening on Sunday, 2/28/10, starting at 10am.
The screening procedure takes about 15 minutes.
We are looking for 12 greys to participate.
If you can help, please contact Patty at pac173@aol.com or 732 566-2226.
Please do not contact Red Bank Veterinary.
For the screening, the dogs can eat normally.
Please bring a urine and stool sample if possible, along with shot records.
Red Bank Veterinary Blood Donor Program
For
Greyhound Friends of NJ
Each blood donor is eligible for the following:
● 25% discount on Frontline and Heartgard.
● Complimentary annual lab screening to include Superchem, CBC, Tick Borne Diseases, Heartworm Occult, Babesiosis*, Brucella*, Blood Typing*, Urinalysis and Fecal.
● 25% discount on emergency care at any RBVH Facility.
● If donor is ever in need of a transfusion, one free unit of blood product for each donation given. This does not include hospitalization,
● Each donor receives a brief physical exam by an RBVH veterinarian before each donation.
● Donors are required to donate a minimum of 4 times per year to receive incentives (unless excluded from the blood bank program by an RBVH doctor).
*Not done yearly
Average annual saving per donor = $397.17
Donors are requested to donate a minimum of 4 times per year.
Our Mission Statement
Provide the very best medicine and service to clients and patients. Always do what is in the best interest of the client and patient. Give employees the tools they need to excel at their work.
The RBVH Veterinary Blood Bank is a state of the art facility located at our Medical Boarding and Rehabilitation facility in Red Bank, NJ
· The blood bank protocol follows stringent guidelines. Our donor selection and screening procedures as well as our collection, handling and storage of all blood products follow recognized ACVIM blood banking guidelines
· The RBVH Veterinary Blood Bank is staffed by registered veterinary technicians who are highly trained in Phlebotomy. A doctor is always on the premises during collection.
· The blood bank technicians do everything possible to make the collection process a positive experience for the donors. Most donors do not need to be sedated and if necessary is very mild.
DONOR REQUIREMENTS
All canine blood donors must meet the following criteria:
o Between the ages of 1-8.
o Over 50 lbs.
o Is not currently being treated for illness.
o Must not be intact
o Current on all vaccines including Bordetella. (Bordetella is not necessary for GFNJ)
o Must not be on any medication other than heartworm/parasite preventative
o Be willing to donate at least 4 times per year. Donors may donate every 6 weeks.
o Lab work will be completed including CBC, Superchem, Tick Serology, Heartworm, Brucellosis (one time), Babesia, (one time), UA and Fecal.
o All donors will have a full physical exam annually, with a brief physical before each donation.
What Happens During Blood Collection?
1. An RBVH doctor examines the blood donor. This exam includes weight, temperature, pulse, respiration, bodily palpation exam and review of medical history. The doctor remains present during blood collection.
2. The blood bank technician collects a small amount of blood for PCV/TS. This is to measure the ratio of packed cells to fluid. The donor is sedated at this time, if necessary. A mild sedative is used and we do not use general anesthesia.
3. A small area is shaved and then cleaned with a surgical soap. This prevents introduction of bacteria into the blood being collected, and protects the donor from infection at the puncture site.
4. 450 mls of blood is collected, and the donor is given 250 – 500 mls of subcutaneous fluids to replace the blood collected.
5. The donor is given a treat or small meal as a thank you for donating.
Blood Donor Frequently Asked Questions
How much must my pet weigh to donate blood?
Dogs must weigh 50lbs or more, and cats must be over 10lbs.
How old does my pet have to be to donate blood?
Dogs must be 1-8 years old, and cats must be 1-8 years old.
Can my outdoor cat be a blood donor?
Cats must be indoors only. Feline housemates must be indoors only as well.
Is the blood donation procedure safe?
Yes, the donation procedure is safe. Our staff includes highly experienced Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians who take every precaution for your pet’s safety. A Veterinarian will examine your pet prior to each donation and oversee the collection procedure. A Veterinary Technician trained in veterinary phlebotomy will perform the collection.
Is the procedure painful for my pet?
It is very similar to having your own blood taken. Most dogs and cats do not react to the needle puncture.
Will my pet’s fur have to be shaved?
A small (approximately 2”) square of hair will be shaved at the site of collection. This area will then be cleaned with surgical soap and rinsed. This is important to prevent bacteria from entering your pet’s bloodstream or contamination of the blood being collected.
How often can my dog/cat donate blood?
Dogs can donate one full unit of blood every 3 weeks and cats can donate one full unit of blood every 6 weeks without any adverse effects or need for nutritional supplementation. At RBVH, we ask that your pet donate a minimum of 4 times and a maximum of 6 times annually.
Where is the blood taken from during a donation?
Blood is taken from a vein in the neck (the jugular vein). This blood vessel is preferred because other blood vessels in dog and cats are small; the donation procedure would take too long for pets to tolerate.
What blood types do dogs and cats have and which are most common?
Cats have 3 possible blood types, A, B and AB. Approximately 97% of cats in the United States are type A. Only 3-4% of cats in the US have Type B blood although it is common in certain breeds (Himalayan, Maine Coon, Abyssinian, Persian, and British Short Hair). Type AB is rare. There is no universal donor for cats.
Dogs have several blood types and for simplicity, they are grouped into two general groups of importance, DEA 1.1 negative (-) and DEA 1.1 positive (+). Positive dogs are more common but negative dogs are considered universal donors for this species.
Are dog and cat blood types the same as humans?
No. Blood types are specific to each species and cannot be interchanged.
What happens to my pet’s donated blood after donation?
After collection, the blood is separated into components: packed red blood cells (PRBCs) and plasma. The PRBCs are stored in a special refrigerator and can be kept up to 35 days if they are not used immediately. Plasma is stored in a special freezer and can be kept up to 5 years if it is not used immediately. When a cat or dog requires a transfusion, the blood or plasma is removed from the blood bank and warmed to body temperature before administration.
What are Packed Red Blood Cells and Plasma used for?
Packed red blood cells are used to increase the number of red blood cells in anemic patients. Common causes of anemia in our patients include, but are not limited to, traumatic blood loss, surgical blood loss, rodenticide toxicity, chronic kidney failure, and cancer.
Plasma is used to treat clotting disorders or to restore protein levels to normal. Common indications for plasma in our patients include, but are not limited to, liver disease, hemophilia, rodenticide toxicity, massive blood loss, severe vomiting and diarrhea, pancreatitis and cancer.
Why do I have to fast my pet prior to blood donation? Will my pet be fed after donating blood?
Fasting reduces the amount of (lipemia) fat in the blood at the time of collection. Lipemia may interfere with the process of separating the red cells from the plasma. Dogs and cats may require a mild sedative at the time of donation so they will relax. Pets that have been sedated are fed as soon as they are awake and pets that have not been sedated are fed immediately after collection.
Is it normal for my pet to look sleepy after donating blood?
Some pets may appear sleepy after the collection procedure. All cats and some dogs receive mild sedation prior to donation so they will relax during the donation. Sedative effects may last for up to 4-6 hours post donation.
Can my pet donate without receiving tranquilization?
Some dogs are calm and will remain still and relaxed during the procedure without sedation. Dogs and cats that cannot remain still and relaxed during the 15 minutes of donation must be tranquilized. Tranquilization also minimizes stress for the donors.
I work during the blood bank hours. What are the drop-off times for donation?
The RBVH Blood Bank hours of operation are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday. There are two donor drop off schedules for your convenience: Drop off between 8:00 am and 10:00 am and pick-up between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm or Drop off between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm and pick-up between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. If you require your pet to stay with us longer, thank 4 hours we ask that you call in advance and make an appointment for boarding to ensure that there is space available for your pet. Blood donors will receive a special boarding (day-stay) rate of $10.
Can I be with my pet during the donation procedure?
No, unfortunately we do not allow owners to come back to be with their pets throughout the donation procedure. Most pets are actually more nervous with their family present. However if the schedule permits we will allow owners to view the blood bank area so they have an opportunity to ask additional questions about our blood donor procedures; You must speak with our blood bank liaison, or our blood bank technicians for this special appointment.
Our contact person is RBVH’s Blood Bank coordinator, Karen Norton (732) 747-3383 Ext. 5602
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