We are very excited to announce our blood bank service and need your help because together, we can save lives. You are invited to participate in helping us build this valuable resource by getting on our contact list to have your pets screened to donate at our hospital.

We have the ability to maintain a large stock of blood products to have readily available to give to patients on a moment’s notice and will maintain a list of donors readily available to provide more blood. Our blood donors are thoroughly screened, and we screen for more diseases than most other blood banks using the most accurate testing methods, including PCR testing for many infectious diseases. We also have both positive and negative blood for dogs, obtaining blood typing for DEA antigens 1.1, 1.2, 4 and 7. Blood is also available to veterinary and specialty hospitals when fresh whole blood, packed red blood cells or fresh frozen plasma is needed on short notice.

To get on our potential donor screening list, call 609.259.8300 or email us.

Why do animals need blood?
Critically ill veterinary patients with cancer, anemia, underlying clotting problems or trauma (i.e., internal bleeding from a motor vehicle accident) often need blood or plasma. Blood products can be a life-saving treatment, and historically, have been provided by our veterinarians, staff, and technicians. Because of the high demand within the area for blood products, our blood bank has begun a volunteer canine and feline donor network.

What are the benefits of having my pet as a blood donor? Not only are you saving a pet's life, but you will receive other benefits such as:

• A complete physical examination
• Extensive blood screening (with a copy for your records)
• A free blood typing, which means that if your pet ever needs emergency care or a blood transfusion, you'll know what blood type he or she is!
• While bringing your pet in for blood donation may seem like a big commitment and a lot of work, remember you are helping save hundreds of lives a year!

What happens when my dog donates blood? How much blood is donated?
Blood donation takes about 15-30 minutes and we often have owners drop off their pet for a few hours while they are donating. For dogs, sedation may be necessary. We lie your dog down on his or her side on comfortable blankets and clip an area of hair over the jugular vein. After preparing the area with a sterile scrub, blood is collected through a needle into a sterile collection set (just like when you donate blood). Approximately 450 mls are removed from dogs. Afterwards, your dog will receive a meal and lots of TLC.

What happens when my cat donates blood? How much blood is donated? Cats are usually sedated with a light sedative just prior to donation. Cats are placed on their side (or their back) on comfortable blankets and blood is collected through the jugular vein after an area is prepared with a sterile scrub. Approximately 55-60 mls (2 oz.) are removed from cats. Cats receive fluids under their skin to help hydrate them after they are finished donating, and also receive a meal and lots of TLC.

Our animal blood bank functions like a human blood bank. Healthy dogs and cats can help less fortunate animals by becoming blood donors for our program.

Can my dog become a blood donor?
The following guidelines must be enforced to ensure safe blood products for our patients.

• Must be friendly, happy to meet people and easy to restrain
• Must weigh over 50 pounds (without being overweight)
• Must be current on vaccinations (must provide proof)
• Must be free of any infectious diseases
• Cannot be receiving any medications other than heartworm, flea, and tick preventive
• Must be on heartworm, flea, and tick preventive
• Cannot have a heart murmur
• Must be between 1 year and 6 years old to be eligible to enroll
• Japanese breeds (e.g. Akitas, Shiba Inu’s) are NOT eligible for enrollment
• Must have never received a blood transfusion nor been pregnant

Can my cat become a blood donor?

• Must be fairly friendly, like to be around people and easy to restrain
• Must weigh over 12 pounds (without being overweight)
• Must be current on vaccinations (must provide proof)
• Must be free of any infectious diseases
• Must be healthy and not receiving any medications other than heartworm, flea, and tick preventive
• Must be indoor-only, and all companion housemate cats must be indoor and negative for Feline Leukemia or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
• Adult cats that have been adopted as strays or outdoor cats with unknown history are NOT eligible for enrollment
• Cannot be exposed to any other cats (no fostering or pet-sitting of other cats)
• Cannot have a heart murmur
• Must be between 1 years and 6 years old to be eligible to enroll
• Must have never received a blood transfusion nor been pregnant

What happens when my dog or cat donates blood?
First, we need to make sure your animal is healthy enough to donate. Please see the listed requirements above. If your pet qualifies, and you are interested in enrollment please contact the NorthStar Vet Donor Program at 609.259.8300 or by email. Initial blood screening tests will be performed if your pet qualifies, along with a preliminary physical examination. All these blood results are available for your own record. To qualify for this screening, you must commit your pet to the donor program for at least 1 year.