Disaster - College of Veterinary Medicine - Texas A&M University

an emergency blood donation. Not all emergencies arise
from disaster, and not all patients needing blood arrive
from a disaster zone. In fact, most are pets that have become
critically ill. The blood bank is there to provide a needed
resource that gives these pets a second shot at life.
“It’s important to have a supply of different blood components
available at all times because we are both a primary
emergency facility and a large referral facility,” explains
Mary Radcliffe, blood bank coordinator of the VMTH’s
Small Animal Hospital ICU. “We see high risk, critical cases
which often require immediate treatment. These types of
patients may not even survive a 24–48 hour delay in receiving
a particular component.”
Radcliffe explains that
there is a greater need for
animal blood banks in
today’s veterinary ICUs than
there was about 10 to 15 years
ago. In the past, most animals
would only have about
one surgery in their lifetime.
Today, animals will average
about two to three major
surgeries or medical issues
in their lifetime due to the
increased owner care and the
stronger social role that pets
play in society.
Volunteer blood donors
are crucial to the supply the
clinic has on hand. Privately
owned dogs and cats serve as
blood donors, and a friendly
personality is a must.
“I have been in veterinary
medicine for 10 years and I
have always allowed my dogs
to be blood donors,” said
Paula Plummer, veterinary
technician at CVM. “People
do not realize that blood
banks are just as important in
veterinary medicine as they
are in human medicine. I
allow my dog to be involved
because it truly is an amazing
feeling to know that she helped save another dog’s life.”
Both dogs and cats must be between one and six years
of age, spayed or neutered, and in good health. Cats must
weigh at least 12 lbs. and dogs must weigh at least 55 lbs.
Many blood banks have several Greyhounds and Pit
Bulls in their donor programs due to the relatively higher
incidence of the universal blood type in these breeds, as
well as their easygoing nature, which works best during the
donation.
There are multiple blood types in dogs, but there are
universal donors who can generally donate to any dog in
need. The technicians at the VMTH make sure to routinely
perform a crossmatch on canine patients to rule out any
incompatibility as a result of a previous transfusion.
D’Lisa Ryland collects blood
while Paula Plummer holds Maddie.
Universal donors do not exist in cats as they have three
different blood types: A, B, and AB. The most common
blood type is A. The feline patients must be typed and transfused
with their identical blood types as the need arises.
Most type A cats are domestic short hair mixed breeds, while
there is a higher incidence of the rarer type B and AB in
some of the purebred cats.
“Before accepting a dog or cat into the program they are
blood typed and then if they are suitable, they come in to
the clinic for a complete physical examination and blood
draw to rule out any medical problems,” states Radcliffe.
“They remain in the program for approximately two years
and may donate once every three months.”
Right now there are 12
dogs and one cat that participate
in the program. All
typing, testing, annual physical
exams, and vaccinations
for the donors are done at no
charge to the owner.
Radcliffe notes that if
necessary they can purchase
blood from a commercial
blood bank for exotic
animals.
“Between the commercial
blood bank supplies,
which we purchase, and our
volunteer donors, we generally
manage to cover our
blood needs. Holidays and
times of natural disasters are
always a particular concern.
This is due to the increased
case load, as so many other
facilities are closed,” remarks
Radcliffe.
While the majority of the
blood bank program’s needs
are currently being met,
many of the donors’ owners
are students who graduate
and move away with their
pets. Also, as pets get older,
they may have to “retire”
from the program based on
age, or they may develop medical problems unrelated to being
a donor that may force them into “early retirement.”
“I am always accepting new applications for the program,”
states Radcliffe. “Interested people in the Bryan/College
Station area can contact me by email at mradcliffe@cvm.tamu.
edu.”
“Our cases range widely considering the injury,” said
Radcliffe. “We provide a service that can help save lives for
animals every day. Whether we help to save their lives long
term, or just extend them so their owners can have a time to
say goodbye and get closure, we realize that this is a necessary
service in veterinary medicine and we are grateful for
the opportunity to provide it.”
CVM Today • Summer 2010 • 7