Did you know your pet can save lives too?
By Thanu Hari
KUALA LUMPUR, July 10: When it comes to animal lovers, their pets are often referred to as family members.
Thus, it is understandable how difficult it is for humans to picture their fur-kids either falling sick or getting hurt.
However, when such circumstances befall the pets, at times surgery and blood transfusion are likely required to save them.
As how we humans function, sick and injured animals also might need blood transfusion, therefore explains why the demand for animal blood is rising nowadays.
Despite this, the awareness of animal blood donation isn’t commonly heard in the public.
“When humans need blood automatically hospital will have blood bank already but when it comes to animal especially our pets which is dogs and cats there is no any sadly,” said veterinarian Dr Teoh kah Ing.
“Often time we come to a situation that requires blood transfusion example because of car accidents, anaemia and many more.
“Every time when blood needed the pressure seeking for blood is high its either putting it on the owner of the pet itself or putting it on the vet itself.
“Sometimes we able to find it but sometimes we don’t, this is where we may have lost our patients,” Dr Teoh told The Hindu Press.
She also expressed her disappointment as there is no proper blood bank for pets.
“How come we don’t have anything like that for animals but we have that for humans.
“We might don’t have enough money to build a blood bank for now so I start with doing a data base to spread the words around.
“This is to those having cat and dog they can sign up their pet to be a blood donor.
“Then whenever we require we will just look through the data base and then we can straight away contact the donor,” she added.
Dr Teoh said that she is currently trying her level best to create awareness about the pet’s blood donation campaign.
She said that she will meet at least one case per week which requires immediate blood transfusion.
“This shows how serious this issue is.
Animals do have their own blood group like for cats they only have three blood group A,B,and AB.
“When it comes to dogs there are many blood groups it can go up to 13 but the common blood group is DEA 1.1 positive/negative. DEA1.1 negative is a universal donor it matches with all the dog blood groups,” she said.
On whether the donors will have any side effects after the blood donation, she said: “Pet’s blood donation may sound new and scary the first time.
“Rest assured, the procedure of blood donation in animals is safe and similar to the one in humans as long as it is handled with care.
“By calculating the body weight, the sedation drug and the amount of blood to be taken correctly and also handling the process smoothly the risk is very minimal.
“Importantly don’t hesitate to give the gift of life but never rush your decision. The welfare of your pet is of the utmost priority,” Dr Teoh added.
“I really hope more (pet) owners will realise about this initiative and sign up their pet as a blood donor to save more lives,” she said.
The ideal weight for a dog to be a donor is 20kg above. The minimal weight is 10kg.
Their age should be between 1 to 8 year-old.
Animals has the same amount of entitlement as we have to live in this world.
Our pets can save lives too.
Those wish to register their pet as a blood donor visit the link or visit Dr Teoh’s Instagram page @dogtorteoh.
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