I had never heard of dog blood donors until a client told me she was taking her Chocolate Lab, Sage to be evaluated  at 4 Paws Spa.   There is a need for canine blood to help sick or injured dogs and since canine blood has a shelf life of only about 30-35 days, the supply must be replenished regularly.

Some veterinary clinics don’t need blood very often, so they don’t keep it on hand. That’s when the  Blue Ridge Veterinary Blood Bank steps in to fill the gap.  They travel to vet offices, groomers, and other places where donors have signed up. They collect the blood and store it for when it’s needed.

Can your Fido be a donor?   Probably.  There are some tests to make sure there are no diseases that could be passed on and it’s important that your dog has a calm temperament.  During the testing and procedure, Fido is embraced in a full-body hug by one of the technicians and is treated to dog cookies and maybe even some peanut butter on a spoon!

For more information, use the links above and check back here for a peek at how Sage’s visit went!