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