Should I Feel Guilty?

[Guest FijiHound]

Well yesterday I went to visit my vet because yes Fiji is that small that we're on a first name basis She's the only private vet in Fiji besides going to the local SPCA. Anyways I went to have a talk with her about the fact that I am bringing a greyhound into Fiji which looks like its the first of its kind! She does have a lot of experience with greyhounds when she worked in Australia so that was a relief BUT my concern is that she wondered if I would consider doing blood donations when I finally get her. So free vet bills for Nugget in exchange for any emergency blood that they may need. Admittedly my first thought was 'yay no vet bills!' but I don't want to traumatize my new pup so that was my first guilt trip but my bigger guilt trip is 'what if someones dog REALLY needs this blood and would die just because of a little guilt' and I highly doubt they have full blood banks here in the middle of nowhere...

So any opinions on this matter? Would giving blood really freak Nugget out or is it a win win? Hmmm maybe I'll just try it the once and see how it goes and just offer emergency only blood situations if Nugget is not happy...

[robinw]

There was an entire thread about blood banks. It's common for greyhounds to donate blood. In fact, there's a big volunteer program here. IMO it's better to have your dog donate blood than to have your vet keep a dog captive for his/her blood. It's harmless and it might save a life or two or three .

ETA: Mine are both to old to donate, or else they would be donors, also.

Edited December 14, 2010 by robinw

[JAJ2010]

most dogs enjoy it since lots of cookies and pb are involved. Just play it by ear and see if you pup enjoys it. I tried to get both my girls into a program but Sunshine is a bit too small and Rainy has a heart murmur.

[moofie]

My boys are donors, they are part blood bank program that visits a local vet practice to collect blood every quarter that then supply vets for emergencies. Hector is a great donor, none of it bothers him he just lounges out and often doesn't want to get off the table post donation he's so chilled. They take the blood from the neck and put on a local anaesthetic cream on the shaved patch beforehand and neither have shown any signs of discomfort . Throp is a more anxious dog than his bro, but was pretty relaxed during the donation part and they have no sedation so only dogs that are relaxed & coping with procedures are allowed to donate. I'm sure if you get Nugget used to going to the vets so that she is relaxed there (useful anyway) that she'll be fine donating .

[TheFullHouse]

Our vet knows that if at any time he needs a blood donor, all he has to do is ask. I see nothing wrong with it.

[OwnedBySummer]

If it freaks Nugget out, just stop doing it. Don't let your vet or anyone else "guilt" you into doing it if you don't feel it's the right thing for BOTH of you. Nothing comes before you and your own pup.

[Trihounds]

Assuming Nugget is a good candidate (not stressed, no health issues, etc) then she'd be saving lives. It's all worth it in my book.

[Guest sheila]

If it were me I would tell the vet to let me get my hound settled and comfortable and then revisit the idea at a later date. If then your hound is doing OK I would try the blood donor thing once to see how it went and just go from there.

[Guest Greyt_dog_lover]

Personally I would be very PROUD to have my hound do such a service. None of my three are the "universal" type, so mine dont donate, yes I had them tested to donate. Even if your hound doesnt care for it too much, isnt a few minutes of discomfort worth knowing that without the donation other dogs could die? Wouldnt you want someone to do the same for your dog should you need it?

 

But then again, I volunteered and served my country in the USAF for 10 years. Thats just the way I see things.

[Guest FijiHound]

Yeah I'll just see how she goes and how comfortable she is with everything . Scruffy - my terrier x - used to love going to the vet...that is until she had some skin issues which meant 10 Saturdays worth of shots! By the end of it she recognized a syringe and used to turn and look at me with a horrific look 'AGAIN????? BUT WHY?????' and then hurl herself at the front door afterwards as if to remind me where it was .

BUT sadly she will always be known there as that small dog who did the most biggest poo imaginable in the foyer it was quite shocking to see actually I swear it was half the size she was - a great dane poo coming out of a terrier, it was never-ending! Wished the ground would just open and swallow me up as everyone stared in horrified fascination

[Guest jessie1234]

Often vets ask us if they can use our rescues as donors. My tip would be make sure she is in excellent health with good weight on her. My Chloe would be an ideal candidate as she always carries a bit extra weight and trips to vet dont stress her out. But a more emotional girl like Tanzie howls for days after visiting the vet!

Wait until she has been with you a few months before deciding.

[Batmom]

I'd see how pup's temperament and health are and go from there. Most (tho not all) of my greyhounds would see it as a great bonus in life to get to go to the vet and be fawned over for awhile .

[dante2zoe]

My two younger greys are both donor dogs for a local blood bank. The shy one has the universal blood type and is also periodically called upon by our local e-vet. His most memorable saves have been a dog hit by a car and another dog involved in a hunting accident. They get tons of loves and treats and I have an informal meet and greet every time we go! I am supposed to keep them quiet for 24 hours after a donation, but otherwise it doesn't really effect their day. I did have them for several months before signing them up.

 

Good luck with your new girl and I hope all works out well for you!

 

Cindy

[joejoesmom]

My Joe was a blood donor at OSU before he was diagnosed with osteo. He loved going in to give blood and greet his public. I am very thankful for this because now he doesn't mind going in for all the cancer visits.

 

Some thoughts:

 

Your vet should do thorough bloodwork to make sure that your grey is perfectly healthy and has had no tick-borne illnesses. If he needs more info, I can get him in touch with OSU's blood bank director. This is for your grey's health and for the health of any dog receiving the blood. OSU repeats these tests yearly. OSU also provides free heartguard and frontline to ensure that their donors are receiving these vital preventative meds.

 

Not all greyhounds are universal donors. Your vet will want to do a blood typing before he proceeds with the more expensive tests.

 

You should give your grey some time to get used to you. This might take a week or months, depending on the dog.

 

You should take your grey in for a quick visit (with no needle pokes or examinations) with your vet every week (or as often as you can). Have the staff give your grey his favorite treats and lots of petting. Make the visits short. When he starts getting happy-excited when you pull into the office parking area you will know that it is time to try a donation.

 

If your vet says your dog needs to be sedated during donation -- don't become a donor.

 

Your vet should have a vet tech or two petting your dog during the donation to keep him calm.

 

They will shave a small area on his neck and take blood from the jugular vein. It typically takes no more than 10 minutes for the donation.

 

OSU waits at least 6 weeks between donations. They say that most dogs recover completely from the donation in 3 to 4 weeks, but to be safe they wait 6 weeks.

 

OSU provides the following for free: a yearly exam with necessary vaccinations, frontline, heartguard, and food. They do not provide other vet care for free.

 

Here is the OSU donation website:

http://vet.osu.edu/vmc/donors

 

 

Hope this info helps.

 

Jane

[Guest kydie]

I am from a small town,,with one small vet clinic, the closest Large clinic is 2 hours away, so 3 of my 4 are donors, the 4th is to old,,, we have been called out many times over the years,,, as this is not the first pack that has been donors. I have been lucky enough not to ever need blood for my pups,,,, and hope I never will,, so being there when some other pup and it's family needs blood is a small thing to do,, and I hope the family that gets our pup's blood with "pay it forward" someday. All dogs are different and you must go by the dogs temperment,, all mine love to do it,,,, even at 3a.m.

[PatricksMom]

Patrick never could donate (he kept getting injured to close to the donation date, that was his clutzy period and now he's too old), but I would have had him donate. That said, he doesn't fuss at all about blood draws (as long as they're from the neck, heaven forbid you touch his feet).

 

Personally, I felt it was completely ethical to have him donate because I donate every 3 months, as does DH, so we weren't asking him to do something we weren't doing. Admittedly, the dog doesn't really get it, but greyhounds are so kind hearted I think if they could understand, they'd do it.

[packmom]

All the donors I know think its no big deal. A great thing to do if she is cooperative. It will all depend on her temperament and how good the vet is with drawing blood.

[Guest KennelMom]

Greyhounds aren't the only dogs that can be blood donors, so if you don't feel comfortable having your dog donate then say no and feel no guilt. Our vet uses the pets of the staff and have never needed to call on us, though the offer is is always on the table.

[Jiffer]

Of my crew, 3 are retired donors and 2 are still donating every 3 months or so. Most vets offices temperament test them first before they accept them into the program. If you or Nugget isn't comfortable with the donation process, you can always say no (as others have said). I don't think there are any good vets out there who would want to hurt your dog, emotionally or otherwise.

[BatterseaBrindl]

My two non-greys were blood donars a few years ago.

Our Bridge Dobergirl Penny had VWD and needed to be infused with a specialized blood product before, during and after her spay.

Billie & Bandit went to the blood donar clinic every few weeks. The clinic would save some of their plasma in the freezer. It took about a year, but finally they had enough saved up to make the cryoprecipitate for Penny.

Bandit was also the same blood type as Penny, so we also had some of her fresh whole blood on hand during the surgery. It wasn't needed for Penny, but the same day another clinic had an emergency and Bandit's blood went there to save another dogs' life.

 

Nixon has yet to donate blood, but he will be doing so soon.

 

FWIW...Our blood donar clinic does not use the neck...they take the blood from a leg.

Edited December 16, 2010 by BatterseaBrindl