A blood donor clinic for dogs was held at Clearspring Animal Hospital in Steinbach on Wednesday from 9 am until 2 pm. 

Beth Knight is the Laboratory Director for the Canadian Animal Blood Clinic.

Beth Knight is the Laboratory Director for the Canadian Animal Blood Clinic, she says the event was very well attended. “The staff here have done an awesome job in both recruiting donors as well as bringing in their own pets to be blood donors.”

Knight says dogs need to meet certain criteria in order to be a blood donor. They need to be recommended by a veterinarian, be over 50 lbs, have a sweet temperament, be in good overall health and be between the ages of 1 and 10 years of age.

The amount of blood collected from a dog is the same amount collected from a human, between 450–500 ml. “That's why we ask that the dog's be over 50 lbs., most of them never even notice it. I always say if the dog can tolerate the car ride, the shiny floors and the sound of the clipper, they may not even notice it at all.”

According to Knight, most dogs don't notice they've lost any blood. “Usually within about an hour after donating their spleen has a reservoir of blood available it empties it back into their system. They recover very quickly.”

There are different blood types in dogs just like people. “Most veterinarians like to have the negative type. We have a national need that seems ever expanding, if you're interested in getting your dog to donate, please speak to your veterinarian.”

Knight adds, most often people don't know about blood donor for their pets until they need blood or a blood product.