Indianapolis, Indiana – The nationwide shortage of pet blood is being brought to public attention by an Indianapolis animal hospital.
“There is need in the entire country. Every day, we have hospitals call that need blood and there is a long back order list of hospitals waiting to receive blood,” said Kelly Robertson, managing Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at IndyVet Kelly Robertson.
On Indianapolis’ south side, there is an emergency and specialty hospital called IndyVet. Blood from pets can be drawn, stored, and shipped across the nation by the facility. Donated blood can save a traumatized dog or cat, but it can also save the lives of animals being treated for red blood cell-attacking auto-immune inadequacies.
“While we are treating it and getting the body to stop the attack, we use blood to maintain them in the meantime,” said Robertson.
It only takes a few minutes to donate. A medicine that can relax your pet can be given to them beforehand or they can be completely sedated.
“Our canine donors are between the ages of 1 and 8 years old and they need to weigh 35 pounds. We do like them to be up to date on all of their vaccines.”
Cats and dogs can give every six to eight weeks, respectively. Dogs and cats have many blood kinds, much like humans. Four dogs can be saved by a routine blood donation from one dog.
