Step 1: Blood Donor Screening
If your pet meets the donor requirements, the next step is to schedule a blood donor screening appointment. During this appointment a blood sample is collected to evaluate your pet’s overall health: testing for blood-borne diseases, blood typing, blood analysis, and chemistry profile. Cats will also receive a cardiac ultrasound.
Step 2: Blood Donation
Blood donations are by appointment only, and scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 am and 12 pm.
Procedure: Blood donations are collected from the jugular vein using a sterile needle and blood collection set. Your pet will also be sedated and closely monitored to ensure a safe and sterile blood collection.
Dogs are given a mild sedative for the blood donation procedure. During this time pets will also receive an examination, blood work, nail trim, teeth scaling, and ear cleaning. Once finished, they are given a reversal agent, then given water and hypo-allergenic food. Shortly after they are ready to go home.
Cats receive a cardiac ultrasound prior to each donation. If within normal range, they are then sedated with gas sedation. Feline donors also receive an examination, blood work, nail trim, teeth scaling, and ear cleaning. They are then closely monitored, and offered water and hypo-allergenic food.
Please make sure to fast your pet 10 -12 hours before the procedure. Water is fine.