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FELINE AND CANINE BLOOD BANK |
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About Our In-House Donor Blood Bank |
- Established in 1998 in an effort to guarantee a constant supply of
canine and feline blood and plasma units for our in hospital patients
- Prior to 1998, we had to rely on the national Animal Blood Bank to
supply our blood needs and we were not always able to have adequate
amounts of blood on hand for emergencies
- After extensive research, a
blood donor program
was developed
- Necessary equipment was obtained including collection &
administration systems and a specialized blood centrifuge for
separating blood cell and plasma fractions
- Eligible blood donors were recruited, given physicals, &
screened for infectious diseases
- Once cleared, the blood collections began and we have had fresh
blood and a large supply of fresh frozen plasma on hand for use ever
since.
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Units of Canine & Feline red blood cells |
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Countless
Patient's Lives Have Been Saved With Blood/Plasma Transfusions |
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- Pets (usually dogs) that have ingested Rat Poison
- Pets with extensive trauma and blood loss- usually after being hit by
a vehicle
- Pets suffering from autoimmune hemolytic diseases
- Cats with advanced Feline Leukemia
- Kittens & puppies with severe anemia due to flea infestation
- Pets (usually cats) in chronic renal (kidney) failure
- Dogs with Von Willebrants disease or Hemophilia (genetic disorders)
- AND COUNTLESS other situations
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of our Veterinary Technicians Run the Blood Bank |
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Christina Lipofsky, CVT |
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Lauren Havrylik, CVT |
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Nikki Crawford |
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Duties include: |
- Recruit and screen new donors
- Set up a schedule for blood drawing
- Draw and process the blood
- Teach the rest of our staff on how to administer and monitor blood and
plasma transfusions
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Thanks to Nikki, Lauren, Christina and of course our donors, we have at
least 2 units each of negative and positive dog blood, and during busy
months a unit of feline whole blood on hand at all times |
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