At what point does a dog need a blood transfusion?
When a dog has lost or destroyed more red blood cells than its body can replace, or cannot clot properly. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists severe bleeding, sudden destruction of red blood cells, anemia and clotting disorders as the main reasons.
Common emergencies that can lead to a transfusion:
- Trauma, such as being hit by a car
- Internal bleeding, for example from a ruptured tumor on the spleen
- Rat poison that stops the blood from clotting
- Immune disease that destroys red blood cells
- Blood loss during or after surgery
Pale gums, weakness, collapse and fast breathing can all be signs a pet has lost too much blood. Call right away.
How blood typing works
Dogs have more than 12 blood groups. The most important is DEA 1.1, and about 40% of dogs are DEA 1.1 positive (Merck).
Because of this, donors and recipients are blood typed before a transfusion (Merck). Matching the blood lowers the risk of a reaction, and it matters even more for a pet that has had a transfusion before.
What the transfusion is like for your pet
Blood is given slowly through an IV catheter while the team watches heart rate, breathing and temperature.
The most serious reaction, rapid destruction of the transfused red cells, is rare. Hives, fever or vomiting occur occasionally (Merck), and the team watches for them throughout so they can be treated quickly.
What is the survival rate for dogs who receive blood transfusions?
It depends on why the dog needed blood, not on the transfusion itself. A dog bleeding from rat poison can recover fully once clotting is restored, while a dog bleeding from a ruptured tumor faces a very different outlook. Your veterinarian can give you a realistic picture for your pet.
How long does it take for a dog to recover from a blood transfusion?
The transfusion itself takes a few hours, with monitoring throughout. Recovery after that depends on the underlying problem, and the team rechecks blood work to make sure the transfusion is doing its job.
Become a blood donor
Every transfusion depends on a donor. CARE's blood donor program relies on healthy local dogs and cats whose families volunteer them.
Start with the Blood Donor Screening Form, or read more on our Blood Donor Program page.
What are the requirements for a dog to donate blood?
At CARE, donor dogs must be 1 to 6 years old, weigh at least 55 pounds, be spayed or neutered, be current on vaccines and on heartworm prevention and testing, and have no chronic conditions or previous transfusions.
Cats can donate too. Donor cats must be:
- 1 to 6 years old
- At least 10 pounds
- Spayed or neutered
- Current on vaccines
- Free of chronic conditions, with no previous transfusions
Which dog breeds can donate blood?
At CARE, eligibility depends on size, age and health rather than breed. Any dog that meets the requirements above can apply through the screening form.
What donor families receive
- Annual complete blood analysis and chemistry profile
- Annual physical exam by a CARE veterinarian
- Annual tick and flea-borne disease screening
- Complimentary initial exams at CARE
- Blood transfusions for the donor, up to the number donated
- A yearly celebration for donors and retirees
- Discounted heartworm prevention