Donation Procedure

In order allay fears about the donation process that you and your pet may have, and so that you are prepared for the donation, we have included the basic donation procedure below.

Prior to donation, nurses check the dog's health status and take a sample of blood from the front leg or neck to test for anemia (hemoglobin). The rest of the blood is sent to the lab to do yearly testing if it is due. Nurses then place the donor on the table on his/her right side. The owner sits at the dog's head, holding the pet's nose toward the corner of the table and provides soothing words. Hair is then be clipped from a small area on the neck and the skin is cleansed with a mild disinfectant. The nurse places the needle in the jugular vein and allows the pump to draw 400-450 mL of blood which takes 4-5 minutes. Once the blood has been drawn, the needle is removed and pressure is placed over the site for 1-2 minutes to allow a clot to form. Afterwards, a food reward is given o the pet to let him/her know how grateful we are!

After the donation:
If you notice any sign of dizziness or nausea in the donor immediately after donation, tell the Bloodmobile nurses.
Restrict strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
Notify your veterinarian if the donation site becomes swollen or starts bleeding, or if your dog becomes lethargic or inappetant for a day or more.