Blood donor dogs save lives at K-State
Transfusions are crucial for many canines at the university’s Veterinary Health Center
February 23, 2021
Photo courtesy Piper Brandt/K-State Today
Ensuring the safe treatment of canine patients is the goal of a community-based, volunteer canine blood-donor program at the Kansas State University (K-State) Veterinary Health Center (VHC).
Launched in 2015, K-State’s Canine Blood Donor Program oversees the collection, process, and storage of blood needed for transfusions to treat a variety of conditions in dogs. Since its inception, the service has seen more than 70 canine donors, most of which belong to VHC staff and students, as well as area residents.
Local dogs donate blood to save canine lives
Just like humans, our canine friends can donate lifesaving blood products to other dogs in need.
The Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center, or VHC, manages a community-based, volunteer canine blood-donor program, established in 2015. The hospital s blood bank collects, processes and stores canine blood needed for transfusions to treat a variety of conditions in dogs.
More than 70 canine donors have been a part of the program since its creation. The donors are typically owned by VHC staff, students and area residents. Just like in people, blood transfusions can be crucial for many of the canine patients staying in the hospital, said Brooke Neiberger, veterinary nurse and head of the donor program. Having the blood on hand really helps, as many patients are in life-threatening conditions when they arrive.
A Kansas State University veterinarian says the current frigid temperatures mean it s time to consider bringing some pets, especially dogs and cats, inside