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BLOOD HOUND TO THE RESCUE |
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The life of a Labrador retriever was on the line. It had undergone surgery and was in desperate need of a blood transfusion. The vet knew just who to call for help. NFDOG Membership Secretary Penny Gayler was bound to come up with a volunteer from her gang of six dogs at Wootton, New Milton. And so it was that golden retriever Freya found herself in the back of the Volvo, looking a bit crestfallen when they drove into the vets car park. “It is funny how they know where they are,” said Penny. “However, Freya trotted off with the veterinary nurse and was a model patient. They shaved a bit of hair from her neck to expose the jugular vein, gave her a local anaesthetic and took about 450 ml of blood.” Like humans, there are different blood groups for dogs – eight in fact. For a first canine transfusion, any group will do. Thereafter the recipient must be cross-matched in order to avoid problems. “Freya’s blood did the trick,” Penny added. “I had another ‘phone call from the vet a few days later to thank Freya for her efforts and to confirm the Labrador had gone home fully recovered. “I registered my dogs with my own vet some time ago for future blood donations, and there are now two on-line canine blood banks. They are Dog Blood Donors, www.dogblooddonors.com; and Labrador Lifeline, www.medvale.net:80/donors/. They provide a national service for all veterinary groups who may need urgently to access available canine blood donors. Registration is simple. All they ask is that your dog be fit, healthy, vaccinated, and not pregnant nor ever had a litter.” |
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