A VETERINARY centre in Dursley hosted a charity blood donation session for sick and injured dogs as part of a national campaign.

Vale Vets Dursley alongside the national charity, Pet Blood Bank (PBB) UK collected enough blood at the session to help 20 sick and injured dogs around the country.

The centre will be hosting their next blood donation session on Sunday, March 5 and are appealing for owners to come forward – each unit your dog donates could save the lives of up to four dogs.

Alison White, veterinary surgeon at the centre said: “We see first-hand the importance of blood donation as we often need to give blood transfusions to dogs when they have been injured, are undergoing major surgery, or if they have medical conditions where they are losing or destroying their blood cells.

“One case we saw recently was Flick, a very poorly five-month-old puppy who was quickly diagnosed with Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia, a disease where the body destroys its own red blood cells.

“For a while, we were unsure if she would make it, but over the next seven days, Flick had nine lifesaving blood transfusions - some from Pet Blood Bank UK and some from our donor dogs - and is now a happy lively nine-month-old.”

To keep PBB’s negative blood supplies at a healthy level, they are looking for Dobermanns, Greyhounds, Boxers, German Shepherds, Flat Coated Retrievers, Airedale Terriers, Weimaraners, Lurchers, American Bulldogs, Pointers (English), English Bull Terriers and Mastiffs in particular.

Dogs must also meet the following criteria:

  • Be fit and healthy
  • Between one and eight years old
  • Weigh more than 25kg
  • Have a good temperament
  • Have never travelled abroad
  • Be vaccinated
  • Not on any medication

For more information about Pet Blood Bank UK and to register your dog, please visit www.petbloodbankuk.org or call 01509 232 222.