More than fifty retired racing greyhounds have embarked on a new career at the Ohio State University veterinary school. The dogs donate blood four or five times per year.
Why are greyhounds good blood donors?
- Many greyhounds have a universal blood type, making their blood suitable for any dog who needs a transfusion.
- Greyhounds have large veins in their necks that make it easy to draw blood.
- Greyhounds have very short hair that makes it easy to find neck veins and draw blood.
These particular greyhounds are owned by professors, technicians, and students at the Ohio State University veterinary school. In return for their donations, the dogs get free food and veterinary care.
Yes, dogs and cats CAN donate blood. Just like humans, animals sometimes need blood transfusions during surgery, because of an illness, or after an accident. And like humans, the greyhounds at the Ohio State University give blood one pint at a time. The donor program gathers between three hundred and four hundred pints of blood per year. The blood is used at OSU for veterinary needs or sold to other veterinary clinics who are in need of blood.
The owners say that the greyhounds are enthusiastic about giving blood. One dog drags his owner up to the door as soon as he realizes where they are.
This program is a great one for two reasons: it gets greyhounds into good, loving homes after a difficult racing life and it supplies much-needed universal blood to veterinary hospitals.
If you are interested in having your pets donate blood, talk to your veterinarian for more information. Your particular vet may not be set up for blood donations, but may be able to put you in touch with a facility that can accept donations. If you’ve rescued a greyhound, donating blood may be a good way that you can pay the favor forward — your greyhound’s blood can help a sick or injured animal somewhere.