INDIANAPOLIS — IndyVet Emergency & Specialty Hospital needs at least 50 cats and dogs throughout Central Indiana to enroll in its blood donor program in order to fulfill incoming orders for emergency blood transfusions.
IndyVet, located on Indy’s southeast side, supplies blood to around 300 veterinary hospitals locally and across the country for animals suffering from trauma, anemia or bleeding from accidents like rat poisoning. However, the blood donor program has had at least 10 veterinary hospitals on a back order list.
Once the blood is drawn from the animal, it’s immediately shipped out, so there is no available inventory on any given day at the hospital. Then from there, the blood expires after 42 days.
To become a blood donor, animals must meet the following requirements:
• Be between 1-8 years old
• Minimum weight of 35 pounds for dogs, and nine pounds for cats
• In good general health and current on all vaccinations (proof required)
• Dogs must be taking heartworm preventative medication.
If animals meet these standards, the next step is to schedule an appointment with IndyVet. All donors are tested for blood type, and must pass physical and behavioral tests, in addition to a comprehensive blood and infectious disease screening.
Once approved, qualified donors will donate blood at least six times a year, but have the option to donate more. Every single donation will help save anywhere from two to four lives.
Breeds such as boxers, pit bulls, mastiffs, greyhounds and American bulldogs generally qualify as universal donors, but McKamey encourages any breed that meets the basic requirements to apply.
There is no cost to enroll as a blood donor. Instead, the program offers special perks, which can save owners up to hundreds of dollars on annual preventative and wellness care.
Donors receive: free physical and annual exams, yearly blood work, annual vaccines and heartworm testing, along with a 40 percent discount on heartworm and flea medications, and 20 percent discount on emergency and specialty services.
For more information on IndyVet’s canine and feline blood donor program, log on IndyVet.com, or call 317-782-4484.