Page 16 - Paws and Hooves - Spring 2024
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HOW TO...
Become a pet blood donor
Many poorly animals wouldn鈥檛 Step 1. Step 4.
be alive today if it wasn鈥檛 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鈥檒l 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鈥檒l shave a
veterinary care taking place at to join by asking about your pet鈥檚 small patch of fur and apply local
the 黑料社 every day. Ever wondered medical details. anaesthetic cream to numb the area.
what鈥檚 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鈥� Have a phone call with their donation, we鈥檒l 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鈥檒l 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 黑料社 Queen Mother Hospital blood donor family
for Animals we鈥檒l conduct a full When a patient receives your pet鈥檚
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鈥檙e 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鈥檒l
receive the results and let
you know if they鈥檙e suitable
to join the programme.
What makes a pet blood donor superhero?
For pets to be eligible to be a blood donor they must:
鈥� Not be on any medication
鈥� Never have received a blood transfusion
鈥� Not have travelled outside the UK or Ireland
鈥� Be friendly and comfortable with people
鈥� For dogs 鈥� must weigh over 15kg and be one to eight years old
鈥� For cats 鈥� 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
