Whether it’s emergency trauma or chronic illnesses, pets often need blood transfusions. The U.K. is pioneering a national blood bank system that has already saved countless lives.
By the time the two puppies arrived, their situation was already dire. After eating rat bait, the 16-week-old boxers were ghostly pale—"white gums, lethargic, barely able to lift their heads,” recalls, then a veterinarian at the only animal hospital in Alice Springs, a remote city in Australia’s Northern Territory. “I didn’t hold out much hope.”
With Bruce’s donation and the clinic’s remaining plasma stores, the puppies were stabilized. Slowly, their gums regained color. Five days later, they went home, wagging their tails as if nothing had happened. Once considered rare and ad hoc, transfusions have become a life-saving tool in modern veterinary medicine. The demand for blood products in pets has skyrocketed in recent years, particularly in the United Kingdom, which is leading the way in canine blood donors.Veterinary Medicines Regulations of 2005
To qualify as a donor in the U.K., dogs must meet a strict set of criteria: Being fit, healthy, and between one and eight years of age, as well as weighing over about 55 pounds and having a good temperament. Once approved, the dogs come to the clinic, where a veterinary nurse numbs the area with local aesthetic, and the blood is drawn in a matter of minutes. Afterward, the dog gets a treat. In the U.S., owners who volunteer their dogs sometimes get free treatment or food vouchers from the clinic.Blood is drawn into standard human bags, then separated into components—red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. “Platelets are crucial for clotting factors but expire in just five days,” Howe explains.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Inside Out 2's Biggest Achievement Makes Inside Out 3's Expectations Higher Than Ever BeforeCustom image of Inside Out 2
Read more »
How Dream Productions Fits Into The Inside Out & Inside Out 2 TimelinePaula Persimmon winking in Dream Productions.
Read more »
‘Dream Productions’ Fresh Rotten Tomatoes Score Falls Short of ‘Inside Out’ and ‘Inside Out 2’Paula Persimmon (voiced by Paula Pell) with her hands on her hips.
Read more »
Closing arguments underway in New York City subway chokehold caseA jury will decide whether Penny caused Neely’s death and whether he was justified.
Read more »
Woman ‘covered in blood' found dead inside West Philly home, police sayA woman was found dead inside a home on the 4100 block of Parrish Street on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in West Philadelphia, police said.
Read more »
Texas SBOE to hold final vote whether to allow Bible-based content in school curriculumSupporters of the proposed curriculum say it's about freedom of religion and that the state right now is denying students access to this info.
Read more »