North Coast Veterinary Specialist and Referral Centre is urging Sunshine Coast dogs and cats to help save the lives of animals in need by rolling up their fur and donating blood.
As the only dedicated facility of its kind north of Brisbane, NCVS often treats animals that require urgent blood transfusions due to injury or medical conditions.
The Sippy Downs-based centre relies on pet owners in the community to assist by allowing their dogs and cats to donate blood. It’s now calling for pet owners to join their Blood Drive and register their eligible pets.
Dr Naomi Hansen said the process of donating a pet’s blood was very similar to humans giving blood.
“We sedate the pets … and then we get what’s considered to be a unit of blood from our patient. Then we can keep this unit in the fridge for 28 days” Dr Hansen said.
“It’s not something that people would think we are able to do, but we do it quite easily and we do it quite a lot.”
There are a number of reasons why a dog or cat would require a blood transfusion. Animals that are anaemic, meaning they have a low red blood cell count, need a suitable blood donation to keep their bodies functioning.
Dogs aged between 1 and 7 that weigh over 25kg, are up to date with all vaccinations and worming and are on no current medications are eligible to register. Indoor cats aged between 1 and 7 that are up to date on their vaccinations and worming, are heartworm and mycoplasma negative and are of a lean weight are also eligible.
Established in 2006, NCVS is dedicated to serving the needs of Queensland veterinarians and their clients, offering specialist surgical and referral-only veterinary services in medicine, dentistry, ophthalmology and physiotherapy.
The centre provides comprehensive and first class care in the disciplines of orthopaedic surgery (including minimally invasive techniques), soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, oncology (cancer), dentistry, ophthalmology, medical imaging as well as physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Check the requirements and register your cat or dog to become a blood donor at ncvs.net.au/donate-blood. For more information, contact NCVS at ncvs.net.au or by calling (07) 5453 7555.
