Because They're Family

Just as in human hospitals, an emergency veterinary hospital has a constant need for blood products to treat life-threatening conditions in dogs and cats. A unit of donated blood is processed into components, usually packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. These components are then stored so they are available whenever the need arises.

The most common reasons that a pet may require a red blood cell transfusion are trauma with blood loss, a ruptured spleen or liver causing internal bleeding, blood loss due to cancer, red blood cell loss due to immune-mediated diseases, or an inability to make red blood cells due to bone marrow disease.

The most common reasons that a pet may require plasma include bleeding disorders (coagulopathies) such as occur with rat poison ingestion, liver failure, or some hemophilias, low blood protein conditions such as occur in inflammatory bowel disease or kidney disease, as well as several other serious conditions.

Because of the wide range of diseases that can lead to a transfusion need, the demand for blood products is high, but unpredictable. The blood banking program allows us to have a ready supply of blood components whenever they are needed.

Can My Dog Be A Hero?

OSVS depends on the generosity and cooperation of a group of dogs and their owners – who truly are the heroes ensuring that we have life-saving blood components available at all times.

Donor dogs must weigh more than 50 pounds and be between the ages of 1 year and 8 years old. Donors must have a good overall temperament, be in good health, and up to date on vaccines (although they cannot donate within the month after vaccination). Dogs should be currently maintained on heartworm prevention and should not be on any other medications other than flea and tick products. Females cannot donate if they have ever been pregnant as this makes their blood undesirable for transfusion to another dog.

Owners must be willing to bring their dogs in for at least three donations per year. This is because the screening process for each dog is expensive. If a dog does not donate three times in a year, the owner will be financially responsible for a portion of the screening tests. Dogs that donate at least three times a year qualify for our incentive program (explained fully in our informational brochure).

For more information on the donation process, please read Ocean State Veterinary Specialists’ informational brochure.

If you are interested in enrolling your dog in the program, please email our blood bank at bloodbank@osvs.net. or phone 401-886-6787 ex.109

Can My Dog Be A Hero?

OSVS depends on the generosity and cooperation of a group of dogs and their owners – who truly are the heroes ensuring that we have life-saving blood components available at all times.

Donor dogs must weigh more than 50 pounds and be between the ages of 1 year and 8 years old. Donors must have a good overall temperament, be in good health, and up to date on vaccines (although they cannot donate within the month after vaccination). Dogs should be currently maintained on heartworm prevention and should not be on any other medications other than flea and tick products. Females cannot donate if they have ever been pregnant as this makes their blood undesirable for transfusion to another dog.

Owners must be willing to bring their dogs in for at least three donations per year. This is because the screening process for each dog is expensive. If a dog does not donate three times in a year, the owner will be financially responsible for a portion of the screening tests. Dogs that donate at least three times a year qualify for our incentive program (explained fully in our informational brochure).

For more information on the donation process, please read Ocean State Veterinary Specialists’ informational brochure.

If you are interested in enrolling your dog in the program, please email our blood bank at bloodbank@osvs.net. or phone 401-886-6787 ex.109

Sam's story

Sam got very sick at the end of May 2023. Because of his symptoms and the prognosis, the options were end-of-life care or finding a canine oncologist to test for cancer. Ocean State was the only specialist veterinary clinic within comfortable driving distance from where we live. The results from his tests at OSVS showed that his red blood cell counts had dropped so low that it was best for him to stay overnight to prep for the transfusion and his first dose of chemo. I picked him up the next day, and, well…the pictures tell a better story than I could. The picture of him in the doughnut is two days after that treatment. The walk in the grass is six days later, and he looks like he’s smiling!

Sam's Story

Sam's story

Sam got very sick at the end of May 2023. Because of his symptoms and the prognosis, the options were end-of-life care or finding a canine oncologist to test for cancer. Ocean State was the only specialist veterinary clinic within comfortable driving distance from where we live. The results from his tests at OSVS showed that his red blood cell counts had dropped so low that it was best for him to stay overnight to prep for the transfusion and his first dose of chemo. I picked him up the next day, and, well…the pictures tell a better story than I could. The picture of him in the doughnut is two days after that treatment. The walk in the grass is six days later, and he looks like he’s smiling!

Sam's Story

Not all heroes wear capes. In fact, sometimes they wear bandanas.

1 blood donation can save 4 different dogs
We have 50 dogs in rotation donating blood each year
The need for blood and plasma includes; trauma with blood loss, a ruptured spleen or liver causing internal bleeding, blood loss due to cancer, red blood cell loss due to immune-mediated diseases, bone marrow disease, bleeding disorders, liver failure, hemophilias as well as many other serious conditions.
In 2022 at OSVS alone we used: pRBC 490, plasma 417, platelets 18, Albumin 63, whole blood 12
Ocean State Veterinary Specialists and Rhode Island Blood Center join forces for staff blood drive!

What About Cats?

Our feline patients sometimes require blood transfusions, but the need for blood is not as frequent and is more unpredictable than for dogs. Maintaining a feline blood bank is therefore more difficult, as we need a ready supply of blood but do not want to keep a supply that may expire and waste this precious resource. At OSVS, we purchase some blood products from a commercial blood bank, but we maintain a small group of blood donor cats who have been adopted by staff members and are available to come in to donate if needed. We do not have a volunteer program for privately owned cats as there is a small risk associated with blood donation for cats. The donor cats are called in very rarely, but are an important part of our blood resource management.

A close-up of a curious light brown tabby cat with green eyes, licking its nose with its pink tongue. The background is a plain gray, emphasizing the cat's expressive face and alert posture, as if it's just spotted the veterinarian arriving.

What About Cats?

Our feline patients sometimes require blood transfusions, but the need for blood is not as frequent and is more unpredictable than for dogs. Maintaining a feline blood bank is therefore more difficult, as we need a ready supply of blood but do not want to keep a supply that may expire and waste this precious resource. At OSVS, we purchase some blood products from a commercial blood bank, but we maintain a small group of blood donor cats who have been adopted by staff members and are available to come in to donate if needed. We do not have a volunteer program for privately owned cats as there is a small risk associated with blood donation for cats. The donor cats are called in very rarely, but are an important part of our blood resource management.

Ocean State Veterinary Specialists and Rhode Island Blood Center join forces for staff blood drive!

Ocean State Veterinary Specialists (OSVS) proudly continues its bi-annual Staff Blood Drive in partnership with the Rhode Island Blood Center, where our dedicated staff generously roll up their sleeves to donate blood. This event is a testament to our team’s commitment to saving lives. While this effort directly benefits human lives, OSVS, along with our sister hospital, Bay State Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Services, also operates a comprehensive blood bank program for animals. Each year, approximately 50 dogs and cats contribute to this program, with each donation having the potential to save up to four lives. We are incredibly grateful to our blood bank donors and recognize the vital role blood donations play in our community. At OSVS, we are committed to making a difference by helping save both human and animal lives!

Can My Dog Be A Hero?

Can My Dog Be A Hero?

Not all heroes wear capes. In fact, sometimes they wear bandanas.

Ocean State Veterinary Specialists and Rhode Island Blood Center join forces for staff blood drive!

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