Banner's Blood Bank
Banner's Blood Bank is a non-profit 501 c(3) charity dedicated to providing needed blood products for our canine and feline companions that is based out of Oregon Veterinary Referral Associates (OVRA).
Why Donate Blood?
Just as with people, sick and injured dogs and cats require blood and plasma transfusions to survive. Unfortunately, these blood products can be difficult to obtain. Your dog’s blood donation may save the life of another dog in need.
Just as with people, sick and injured dogs and cats require blood and plasma transfusions to survive. Unfortunately, these blood products can be difficult to obtain. Your dog’s blood donation may save the life of another dog in need.
Is Your Dog Eligible to Become a Blood Donor?
A dog can become a blood donor if they meet the following requirements:
- Body weight of at least fifty pounds
- Able to hold still for blood draw
- Age is between one and eight years old
- Current on vaccinations
- In good health
- Never had puppies (for female donors)
If you do not have a pet that meets the requirements but you would like to help, Banner’s Blood Bank needs cash donations and volunteers as well.
Feline Blood Donors
Banner's Blood Bank also sponsors feline blood donors. These donor cats live with OVRA staff in their homes and are called upon as needed to donate blood. Cats with A type blood, and even the rare B type blood, are available for blood donation.
What Do Donor Teams Receive?
Feline Blood Donors
Banner's Blood Bank also sponsors feline blood donors. These donor cats live with OVRA staff in their homes and are called upon as needed to donate blood. Cats with A type blood, and even the rare B type blood, are available for blood donation.
What Do Donor Teams Receive?
At the first blood donation, we will perform a physical exam, a complete blood count, chemistry panel, heartworm test, and blood typing at no charge. Additionally, should the donor dog ever require blood products, they will receive them at no cost in amounts equal to the amount they have donated. However, the best gift of all is knowing that your donation is helping many other dogs throughout the area.
What Happens During a Donation?
Prior to the first donation, you will fill out a short questionnaire on your dog’s health, then our doctor will perform a physical examination.
At the time of the first donation, a blood sample is taken from a front leg for routine blood work, a heartworm check (if this is not current), and blood typing. These tests take about twenty to thirty minutes. On subsequent donations a simpler blood test is complete along with a physical examination to ensure you pet is still healthy for the donation.
Next, your dog is placed on their side on a table. A small area of hair on the neck is clipped and cleaned, and the needle is placed in the jugular vein to collect the blood. This usually takes five to ten minutes. About 400 milliliters of blood is donated each time. After the needle is removed, pressure is placed on the vein for approximately two minutes. Your dog is then allowed to get up and is ready to go with no lasting effects. A food reward is usually given to your dog to say “thanks!”.
Prior to the first donation, you will fill out a short questionnaire on your dog’s health, then our doctor will perform a physical examination.
At the time of the first donation, a blood sample is taken from a front leg for routine blood work, a heartworm check (if this is not current), and blood typing. These tests take about twenty to thirty minutes. On subsequent donations a simpler blood test is complete along with a physical examination to ensure you pet is still healthy for the donation.
Next, your dog is placed on their side on a table. A small area of hair on the neck is clipped and cleaned, and the needle is placed in the jugular vein to collect the blood. This usually takes five to ten minutes. About 400 milliliters of blood is donated each time. After the needle is removed, pressure is placed on the vein for approximately two minutes. Your dog is then allowed to get up and is ready to go with no lasting effects. A food reward is usually given to your dog to say “thanks!”.
The donated blood is separated into two components and made available to veterinarians in our area so that other dogs may benefit. Both packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma are available when needed.
Success Stories
- Rennie, an English Springer Spaniel, would not be alive today if it was not for a blood donation she received. She was diagnosed with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug toxicity and a secondary gastrointestinal hemorrhage She received a blood transfusion, which ultimately ended up saving her life.
- Max is a poodle mix who began getting very sick just days after his adoption from a shelter. He showed signs of Parvo, a severe viral disease of the digestive system. Due to severe diarrhea, his blood proteins were dangerously low so two units of plasma from Banner’s Blood Bank were infused into his veins. Max’s recovery was slow, but soon he was happy and healthy and returned home to his family.
- Bailey, a Labrador retriever, was brought to OVRA after a cesarean section. She was diagnosed with abdominal hemorrhaging and secondary shock. Her life was saved by the emergency surgery she received at OVRA along with blood and plasma transfusions.