The Manor College Program of Veterinary Technology is proud to host the Penn Animal Blood Bank’s (PABB) Canine Bloodmobile throughout the year. Due to significant advancements in veterinary medicine blood transfusions for pets has become a common treatment. Hosting the PABB Canine Bloodmobile enables us to aid numerous animals in our community by helping to ensure an ample supply of blood products is available to those animals that need them.

The Pennsylvania Animal Blood Bank has a continuous need for new donors. Canine Volunteer Donors receive a yearly blood health screen and a bag or case of Science Diet adult dog food. The bloodmobile is a self contained unit and all procedures occur within the vehicle. Donors that are admitted into the program are asked to make future commitments to the blood bank.

Canine Volunteer Donor Requirements:

Temperament: The PABB never forces canine volunteers to do anything they are not willing to do. Therefore, canine donors must be social dogs that will not mind being handled.

Age: For their safety, canine volunteer donors must be at least 1 year old. At 1 year of age, your dog’s organs and systems are fully developed. Before that point donating blood would cause unnecessary strain on a developing body. First time donors must not be over 6 years old. Once in the donation program, donors are retired at around 8 years old. Ultimately, the decision to retire is up to the owner, the PABB staff and most importantly the canine volunteer.

Weight: Canine volunteers must be greater than 55 pounds and less than 150 pounds. Dogs less than 55 pounds can not safely donate one unit of blood. Dogs over 150 pounds can not comfortably fit on the donation table.

Vaccines: Canine volunteers must be current on all vaccines including distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus (DHAPP generally referred to as just ‘Distemper’) and rabies. Please feel free to contact the Blood Drive Organizer with any questions or concerns regarding your dog’s vaccination status.

Medications: Canine blood donors must not be currently taking any medications other than heartworm and flea and tick preventatives. Some medications could interfere with the ability to form a clot or to produce more blood.

Other restrictions: Certain breed restrictions apply due to infectious disease potential and body conformation complications. Please contact the Blood Drive Organizer for more details.
If you are interested in your dog helping other dogs in our community please contact the Manor College Program of Veterinary Technology, Manor College Canine Blood Drive organizer, Beverly Bisaccia CVT, at bbisaccia@manor.edu or (215) 885 2360 ext. 227 to schedule an appointment at the next Canine Blood Drive. For more information on the PABB visit:

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/RyanHospital/SpecialtyCareServices/
BloodBank/tabid/432/Default.aspx