Blood Donor?

I don't have my dogs donate blood but we just had to get 5cc's of blood drawn for a research project. They first tried to remove the blood from the jugular because it's faster. However, try to get a dog to sit still while someone pokes it in the neck with a needle. It didn't happen with either of my dogs.

Lily was terrified the entire time and I finally put a stop to it. They tried her jugular and her leg and she just wouldn't sit still for any of it.

Neiko was a little better but it still took at least 4 tries to get the entire 5 cc's. He was not liking it at all and it took 3 people to hold him still.

I don't think I'd put my dogs through that on a regular basis. 

Most do really well. Blood drawing from dogs doesn't bother them like it does for us humans.

There's been a few threads on hear about this, and I know a few members have participated. I would love to do it with Casey, but he's too small. We do it with our greyhounds at work all the time through our e-vet.

There are six dogs I owe Billy's life to.  When he had IMHA he had to be transfused SIX times.

 None of my dogs are big enough or we'd be doing this.  You might want to check out Jean Dodd's website Hemapet.  (she's the lady who started it)

Getting blood drawn is something dogs LEARN.  And it's easier than for humans.  (and I give blood regularly so I know what I'm talking about)

TAKE TREATS.  High value ones.  I always took a bag of treats for Billy -- he literally had HUNDREDS of blood draws while he was being treated for the IMHA -- every day at first, then weekly for MONTHS and months.  At this point he will literally sit, tilt his head up and HOLD STILL for someone to access his jugular (and he'd rather have a jug pull than in the paw any time thank you very much!!).  His veins roll - it's no picnic but he does it incredibly well. 

If you are taking a dog in on a "this is new" basis and the dog has never had blood drawn before it's scarey.  I set things up -- hand treats to the vet/tech FIRST.  Let them make friends a bit and let the vet/tech relax and talk to the dog.  This enables them to all relax. 

I always warn thd dog "This is gonna be a *** -- just a lil owie and then she's got that bag right there, Billy!"  Then I would usually say "1 ... 2 .. and hold my own breath.  When the draw is complete before they can even let go of the paw *I* am saying "GOOD BOY -- whatta star!!" and if they aren't reaching for the treats by then I am.

I always made a huge point ... once they got to the point where I'd hand them the leash w/dog and the bag of treats (one in each hand) "He can have ALL that's in that bag -- it's all portioned out so please don't stop with one!!"

Everyone always enjoyed it.  And literally this dog has had HUNDREDS of blood draws.

They only take a pint -- (or maybe half a pint -- it's a pint they draw on humans so maybe it's a half pint for dogs -- not sure).  They get food and drink and TONS of attention.  And if it were MY dog I'd treat him like a mega hero every single time.  I treat MYSELF special when I give blood -- why not the dog?

I would have loved to do it at least once with my dog, but he is too little to donate blood.  I think it a great thing to do because who knows, one day your dog might be the one on the table who needs blood.  For that same reason I also think it is great for people to donate blood if they can, even if it is just that one time.  Sadly however I have recently found out I am also considered too little to donate blood.  Apparently they want you to be at least 110 pounds and I am only 97.  >___<

I was told that they will have several appointments for Grady.  The first one will be with lots of good stuff....treats, positive reinforcement, lovins....  They said they will only use positive reinforcement the whole time.  If it's not going to work then they won't force it & we go home.  Either way he will get LOTS of praise & goodies from me.  We will definitely stop for ice cream either way.  That's his big reward & maybe I'll even throw in a steak for him.  If my boy can help others then he deserves an much as I can give him.

I wanted to get Jake to do it but the group that does it around here is inconvenient.  They do it every so many days at each location and you have to sign up to go.  However, all the before work and after work hours are already taken by people who've been doing it.  I may try again this summer when I am off work, but don't know what I'll do for the following time.

Bevo & Brinxx both donate every 3 months.  They love going in to donate, because they have made the connection between blood being drawn, & the can of food that comes afterwards.  It's a jugular stick, & it looks bad, but neither dog seems to care about the needle stick.

Sorry to answer late, but 2 of my dogs do this, Co-Co and Mystic.  The way it worked for us was that the 1st appointment they didn't even give.  They just showed up, got taken in the room, got TONS of lovin' and treats, put on the table for a sample to be taken, got more lovin' and treats, then we made the next apointment and went home.  For the real appointment it was basically the same thing only they were on the table longer and got even more treats.  It really didn't seem to bother them much, the worst part was shaving and cleaning the area that they put the needle in at, pretty much after that they just laid there.  They only usually take 1/2 a pint, but last time we were there they said, if Mystic does ok with it, they might take a whole pint from her b/c she's big enough and does so well with it.  They are VERY focused on how the dog reacts to it, and really try to make it a good experience.  So far we've only given 2x but we're doing it about every other month.  We had to commit to do it atleast 5 times in a year, but if the dog can't handle it you don't have to continue. 

If you want you can PM me w/ questions and I'll try to answer them for you.

Steph,  Thanks for answering.  That sounds exactly how they described how they operate.  I'm waiting now for a call for the initial appointment.  I'll be SURE to PM you if I have any questions.