Blood Donation

Discussion in 'Labrador Health' started by Dexter, Dec 14, 2015.

  1. Dexter

    Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Has anybody's dog been a blood donor?
    We are on standby for tomorrow for one of my best friends little terrier X ,she's dangerously anaemic after being diagnosed with a tumour yesterday ....she needs blood to build her up so they can perform surgery to establish exactly where the tumour is.My friend has been out of the country but has changed her flight and is back tomorrow......
    Reading up about it I know Dexter will be below the minimum weight of 25 kgs but they said they will check tomorrow and I worry if he will stay still long enough.....one of my own vets that knows him will do it and they seem confident he will be ok In fact when I volunteered they bumped him up the list ......He doesn't love the vets....it's one of his 'tolerated' activities and he does do quite a lot of lip licking and self calming when we go....anyway we are second on the list we just need to be available for a phone call at this stage so it might not even happen ......but I couldn't not offer to help my friend when she appealed.
    Thoughts and prayers for little Pippa ,I hope she makes it x
     
  2. Emily

    Emily Registered Users

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    No, I haven't experienced this before but I did see it once on Village Vets Australia (a TV show here in aus) as the main vet often uses his own dog when emergency transfusions are required. His dog just lay there quite comfortably and showed no ill effects from it and all the vet mentioned was that he'd get a big, special dinner and no walk in the evening.

    Thoughts are with Pippa, get well soon x
     
  3. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    What a fantastic thing to do Angela. I'm sure Dexter will be fine, especially if he gets extra treats after I hope it doesn't come to that though. Fingers crossed for Pippa tomorrow xx
     
  4. Stacia

    Stacia Registered Users

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    My Lab has been a blood donor, I think they sedated him. Lots of dogs are blood donors I believe. Like you Dexter, I couldn't refuse when asked to do it for a friend's dog, though I really didn't want Drift to be used. Sadly my friend's dog died later, but at least we tried.
     
  5. Oberon

    Oberon Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    I'm sure Dexter would be happy to help if he could. Hope it all goes well if his help is needed. I hope the end result is good for Pippa too.
     
  6. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Paws crossed here for a good outcome! Good for you and Dex - it's good to have such friends when you really need it! :)
     
  7. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Tell Dex being a blood donor deserves a MASSIVE dinner. Even volunteering deserves extra dinner! :D
     
  8. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Poor Pippa and her family.
    3 of my friends 5 labs (that I know of) do blood donations for the Pet Bloodbank.
    They are quite strict on the >25kg rule. hence why we have never looked at this ourselves. Lilly is borderline.
    Her dogs are co-operative and un-sedated.
    Fingers crossed. I am sure Dexter will be a star if his precious blood is needed.
     
  9. MaccieD

    MaccieD Guest

    Being a donor, whether doggie or human, makes you very special. Hoping all goes well tomorrow and Pippa makes a good recovery. Oh and Dexter definitely deserves an extra, extra special treat for being such a kind boy :D
     
  10. Dexter

    Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Dexter got bumped by a ridgeback! We were the second of 3 that were part fasting just in case but Dexter was the only one that was under the required weight so I don't think he'd have been viable anyway. He had half his breakfast this morning at 6.30 am and then was starved from then ...and of course he acted like he was starved! Pippa was resting after the transfusion last I head and she is eating and drinking ....they will check her out tomorrow to see if she is ok to have the exploratory op...thank you for all your kind messages for poorly Pippa and her reluctant hero
     
  11. Karen

    Karen Registered Users

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    Poor Pippa... hope she is ok.
     
  12. charlie

    charlie Registered Users

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    What a lovely thing to offer to do Angela and Dexter. Heaven forbid if Hattie or Charlie ever needed blood that lovely owners and their lovely dogs would be there to help. You have a big heart Angela xxxxxx :)
     
  13. Dexter

    Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Happy to report Pippa had her surgery this morning and was found to have a tumour on her spleen which was safely removed and she is recovering well after the op.She will stay in the vets until Saturday....Christmas has definately come early for my Friend x
     
  14. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    I missed this!

    So glad Pippa has rallied after her op and what a brave pupster Dexter almost was :D
     
  15. Karen

    Karen Registered Users

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    That is very good news!
     
  16. MaccieD

    MaccieD Guest

    That's good news of Pippa. Wishing her a safe and speedy recovery
     
  17. Beanwood

    Beanwood Registered Users

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    Just catching up, what a lovely offer Dexter, so relieved that the future looks a bit brighter for Pippa :)
     

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