Blood donation saves lives. 

Just like humans, dogs also need blood transfusion in certain conditions and fellow dogs can donate blood to help save their lives. While blood donation in dogs is not unheard of, there is a lack of information and knowledge concerning the subject.

Blood transfusions in dogs are typically required in cases of trauma, surgery, or diseases that cause severe blood loss, anemia, or clotting disorders.

To be eligible for blood donation, dogs must meet certain criteria, such as being healthy (clinical assessment via tests and examination is recommended), over a certain weight (not less than 25 kgs), and up to date on their vaccinations. The blood is usually collected from the jugular vein, and the process is generally safe and painless for the dog, with few side effects.

Do you know your dog’s blood type?

Yes, similar to you, your dog too has a blood type. Presence of certain antigens (proteins and sugar) is what helps in determining the blood group of the dog. There are over 12 classified blood groups out of which (Dog Erythrocyte Antigen) DEA 1.1 negative is generally considered the universal blood type.

There are two main types of blood donations for dogs (just like in humans): whole blood donation and blood component donation. Whole blood donation involves collecting a unit of blood that contains red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Blood component donation involves collecting specific components of the blood, such as plasma or platelets.

Dogs can donate blood multiple times a year, but it is important to ensure that they receive proper care and nutrition to maintain their health after each donation. Some veterinary clinics and animal blood banks offer incentives or compensation for dogs who donate blood, such as free or discounted veterinary services.

Myths VS Facts

Where a lot of us are still unaware about the blood donations in dogs, the few who do know about it are usually accustomed to a lot of myths surrounding it. Well, let’s tackle a few of them today and see if it makes any difference in your perspective. 

• Myth: Dogs can’t donate blood if they are on medication.

Fact: Many dogs can donate blood even if they are on medication, depending on the type and dosage of the medication. It is important to discuss any medications your dog is taking with the veterinarian or blood bank before donating.

• Myth: Dogs must be of a certain breed to donate blood.

Fact: Any breed of dog can potentially donate blood, as long as they meet the necessary criteria such as being healthy, over a certain weight, and up to date on vaccinations.

• Myth: Dogs can only donate blood once.

Fact: Dogs can donate blood multiple times per year, as long as they meet the necessary criteria and are deemed healthy by the veterinarian or blood bank. However, this also does not mean that dogs can donate blood several times in a matter of days.

• Myth: Dogs can get sick from donating blood.

Fact: When dogs donate blood in a controlled environment with proper protocols, it is generally a safe procedure with minimal risk of complications. However, like any other medical procedure, there is always a certain level of risk involved. Dogs who donate blood should be monitored closely and administered proper care after the donation.

• Myth: Blood donations in dogs are not necessary.

Fact: Blood transfusions are often necessary in cases of trauma, surgery, or diseases (especially caused by tick fever) that cause severe blood loss, anemia, or clotting disorders. Blood donations in dogs can help save lives and improve the overall health and well-being of the animal community.

• Myth: Donating blood results in weak immunity.

Fact: Blood donation leads to better immunity. This is so because post-donation your pet’s body works two times harder to replace the donated blood. The dog may feel a little weakness right after the process, similar to humans after donating blood. This is nothing to worry about. You can always give your pooch Plate Pet , a Platelet booster blessed with the traditional wisdom of Ayurveda and safety of modern science. It is formulated by combining two potent herbs – Carica papaya and Tinospora Cordifolia which are popularly known for improving platelet count and enhancing immunity.

When to avoid volunteering your pooch for blood donation?

It is important for dog owners to understand the facts about blood donations in dogs and to discuss any questions or concerns with their veterinarian or a reputable blood bank before going ahead with the process. By considering their own dogs as potential donors, dog owners can help ensure that other dogs in need have access to life-saving blood transfusions.

However, there are certain conditions under which the pet-parents should avoid volunteering their dogs for blood donation. These conditions include:

1. Age: Dogs who are too young or too old may not be able to donate blood. Most blood banks require that dogs be at least 1-2 years old and not older than 8 years.
2. Weight: Dogs who are under or over a certain weight may not be able to donate blood. Most blood banks require that dogs weigh at least 50 pounds.
3. Health issues: Dogs with certain health conditions, such as anemia, heart disease, or infectious diseases, may not be able to donate blood. Additionally, dogs who are currently taking certain medications, such as steroids or chemotherapy drugs, may not be able to donate.
4. Recent surgery: Dogs who have undergone surgery within the past month may not be able to donate blood, as their bodies need time to recover.
5. Pregnancy: Pregnant or nursing dogs cannot donate blood.
6. Behavioral issues: Dogs who are aggressive or have a history of biting may not be suitable donors.

It is important for dog owners to discuss their dog’s medical history and any medications they may be taking with the veterinarian or blood bank prior to blood donation. This will help ensure that the dog is healthy and eligible to donate blood. If your dog is a healthy citizen of the dog world, please volunteer for it. P.S. don’t forget to treat your furry buddy for the good work. Don’t know where to buy them treats from? Head over to Fur Ball Story where you can find so much more for your buddy.

Hi, I am Joyita Sethi! Some of you might have met me at Fur Ball Story, Gurugram since I manage the place and take care of all the dogs present there. What you don’t know is that I am also a professional groomer by education and practice. I have done a Grooming Course from California academy of animal aesthetics in association with Dog Care Singapore. Before joining Fur Ball Story, I also ran a grooming parlour of my own for over 3 years! I believe that important knowledge must always be parted to others so here I am giving you some tips on dog grooming at home.

Grooming tips for your dog during lockdown

Covid-19 came as a surprise for us, especially the part where we were told that due to lockdown, the possibility of going out is next to impossible. The month was March, the time when most of us get our dogs groomed and prepared for the coming summers but unfortunately the groomers were also now shut due to lockdown. Today it has been more than 50 days since lockdown, and most of the groomers are still shut. So here I am, trying to help you find the best ways to get your dog well-groomed at home!

Regular grooming keeps your dog clean, healthy, and comfortable. Many people prefer professional groomers; they can make dogs look great while using their professional expertise to keep them safe. However, during this lockdown when you can’t go anywhere, here are some tips to keep your dog feeling and looking great.

COMBING

For Long coat dogs (such as Shih-tzu, Lhasa Apso, Golden Retrievers)
Combing your dog’s coat daily or every other day will keep most mats at bay. Simply brushing, as most literature instructs, is not enough for dogs that can mat up: the brush will easily pass over at angles that a comb will get stuck on. A thorough combing should always be the first step of the grooming process.
Comb gently, be it with a brush or with a comb, as rough combing may result into unnecessary hair pulling which might hurt the dog.

Begin on the head and move down the body. Be careful under the belly, as it is a sensitive area, and don’t forget to comb the tail.

While you are combing, if you find a tangle, use a brush, and try to work out the tangle. Be mindful not to brush burn your dog from brushing for too long in the same spot. You can check by looking under the fur to see if the skin becomes red with irritation.
Avoid combing all together in case the dog has skin infection or allergy.

Short Coat Dogs

You can brush short-haired dogs with a brush or gloves.
Comb and brush medium- to long-coated dogs with more specialized tools like a steel comb, slicker, a pin brush.
Whatever you use, it must remove loose hair and distribute oils from the skin throughout the coat.

CLEANING THE EYES

Breeds like (Pekingese, Pugs, Pomeranians, Shihtzus, Lhasa Apso, etc.) those with large eyes that water a lot may need more maintenance in this area than others.
Depending on your dog, this step may be a simple matter of wiping or pulling eye debris away from the corners of the eyes.
Long-haired dogs may need special attention to make sure that all gunk is out of the coat, as they may get tear stains.
Use a cotton wool damped in warm water, to first moisten the gunk and then it can be gently pulled out using your fingers or even a steel comb with small teeth. You can also buy products made for removing “tear stains” from a pet supply store
A healthy eye should be clear and should not show any signs of irritation or unusual discharge.
Don’t try to trim hair away from the eyes yourself, as you might injure your pet. Ask your vet or groomer to do it for you.

CLEANING THE EARS

It’s normal for a clean ear to have some wax in it, but there shouldn’t be any smell to it, or any kind of itching If there is, a vet visit is recommended.
To clean your dog’s ears, apply some ear cleaning solution or just clean water, to a cotton round. (Not too much or it will drip into the ear while wiping, which may be harmful for the dog)
Wipe dirt and wax away from the inner ear, but don’t rub vigorously, as this might cause sores. Don’t push too far into the ear, either.
If your dog has drop ears like a cocker spaniel, wipe the inside of the ear flag as dirt collects there as well. The groomers rule of thumb is to clean only what you can see.

TRIMMING NAILS

Trimming a dog’s nails is something that shouldn’t be done at home because there are very high chances of cutting the blood vessels and this can lead to excessive bleeding which cannot be stopped easily.

Please do visit your vet or groomer if you feel that your dog’s nails need clipping. However, if you feel they have sharpened, you can certainly file them using a normal filer.

BATHING YOUR DOG

Bathing is a must for your dog in this season since the temperature is rising by the days, but there are certain things to be followed while doing it. You can bathe your dog at home once in 10-12 days in the summers.
In tick season, you can use an anti-tick shampoo, otherwise you can use a good quality shampoo available at your nearest pet store. Frequent use of tick shampoo can make your dog’s fur dull and coarse, so it’s best to alternate it with a normal shampoo.

Make sure to clean the abdomen part of your dog as well as pits of the front and hind legs. These areas are where the ticks hide the most. Also, cleaning the paws is a must while giving a bath since this is the part where the ticks climb from. But be careful while doing it as it may hurt the dog if not done gently with a soft brush or cloth. In some cases, dogs just don’t like their paws to be touched, so what you can do is use a water hose and apply fast running water under the paws.

When temperatures cross 40 degrees, you can keep your dog cool by sponging them with a wet towel once a day. Make sure the dog is fully dry post bath or else it can develop skin allergies if the skin is left moist. It is advisable that the dog doesn’t enter an air-conditioned room immediately after sponging or till still damp. Keep your dog well hydrated in the summers. Lots of water and curd once a day is a must and keeps the stomach cool.

Important Note: If you follow these tips, you may need not go out to a professional groomer unless the matting is too much to be sorted at home, or if you wish to have a proper hair cut for your dog. Please do not attempt to trim your dog’s hair at home as it might hurt the dog. Please don’t use scissors or human trimmers as well! You can use the above tips for basic care, but things such as hair cutting, matters should be left for the experts.