Page 16 - Paws and Hooves - Spring 2024

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Page 16 - Paws and Hooves - Spring 2024
P. 16

HOW TO...




       Become a pet blood donor







       Many poorly animals wouldn’t        Step 1.                              Step 4.
       be alive today if it wasn’t for the   Fill in a Blood Donor              Your pet gives blood
       generosity of healthy pets and      Enquiry form
       their owners, giving their time and                                      Your pet will be weighed, have a
       commitment to the Blood Donor       Visit rvcact.com/blooddonorform      physical exam and a blood test
       Programme. They are literally       to complete your form. We’ll check   to check that their red blood cell
       the lifeblood of the pioneering     if your cat and/or dog is eligible   count is high enough. We’ll shave a
       veterinary care taking place at     to join by asking about your pet’s   small patch of fur and apply local
       the ºÚÁÏÉç every day. Ever wondered    medical details.                     anaesthetic cream to numb the area.
       what’s involved in becoming a       Step 2.                              Cats will have a catheter inserted for
       blood donor? We take you through                                         their fluid therapy afterwards. After
           our process, step by step…      Have a phone call with               their donation, we’ll give your pet a
                                           a blood donor nurse                  tasty meal and a bag of pet food as a
                                                                                thank you. We allow plenty of time for a
                                           We’ll answer any questions you
                                           may have and get to know you         donation, so the process is gentle and
                                           and your pet a little better.        calm. We make notes about their likes
                                                                                and dislikes so we can tailor their next
                                           Step 3.                              visit to their preferences.
                                           Your pet receives a full             Step 5.
                                           health check free of charge          You become part of the
                                           At our ºÚÁÏÉç Queen Mother Hospital     blood donor family
                                            for Animals we’ll conduct a full    When a patient receives your pet’s
                                             health check. Your pet will be     donation, we pass on any updates we
                                              weighed, given a physical exam    receive. Your pet can give blood every
                                                and have blood tests. For cats,   three months or at longer intervals if
                                                we also perform an ultrasound   you prefer. We conduct a full health
                                                 of their heart. Our nurses help   check every year they’re on the
                                                  your pet to relax by giving   programme. We send them Christmas
                                                  them loving attention and     gifts too and a present when they
                                                   treats. This health check    retire as a thank you.
                                                   will hopefully confirm there
                                                   are no underlying health
                                                   concerns. A week later we’ll
                                                   receive the results and let
                                                   you know if they’re suitable
                                                   to join the programme.


                                                  What makes a pet blood donor superhero?
                                                 For pets to be eligible to be a blood donor they must:
                                                •  Not be on any medication
                                              •  Never have received a blood transfusion
                                             •  Not have travelled outside the UK or Ireland
                                           •  Be friendly and comfortable with people
                                           •  For dogs – must weigh over 15kg and be one to eight years old
                                           •  For cats – must weigh over 3.5kg and be one to ten years old
  Oliver receiving a health
  check before donating                    For more information visit rvcact.com/BloodDonorAppeal

                                                                                              P&H        SPRING 2024
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