Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 11, 1991 TAG: 9104110233
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"Veterinarians around the state are desperate for correct blood types," said Bernard Feldman, a professor in the vet school at Virginia Tech.
"There are animals in Virginia deprived of potential life-saving therapy because we don't have the correct blood products available when they're needed."
The Companion Animal Blood Bank has been formed to meet that need.
Dr. Paul West, owner of West's Animal Clinic in Norfolk and president of the 750-member Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, said the program will meet "a very critical need in animal health care delivery among the state's veterinarians."
The blood bank is funded by the Veterinary Memorial Fund. It eventually will provide whole blood and blood products such as packed red cells, plasma and platelet-rich plasma to veterinary hospitals around the state within 24 hours, Feldman said.
He said the canine blood bank should be in operation by the summer of 1991. It eventually will collect blood for cats and horses as well.
As a first step, he plans to advertise in the New River Valley media for about 100 dogs to form a donor base.
Feldman is seeking dogs over 30 pounds with a pleasant disposition. The dogs will be examined and their blood will be typed in a search for "universal donors." Drawing a unit of blood is a painless procedure that takes about 10 minutes, he said.
Feldman thinks pet owners will volunteer their dogs for the same reasons people are willing to donate their own blood.
"Your dog's blood could help save other dogs' lives," he said.
by CNB