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The Treasure Coast Greyhound Adoption Volunteers Hit Another Home Run

Canine Blood Bank Opens In Jensen Beach

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October 10th 2007 - WINSOME, the big, white former racing dog stood quietly as he made the first blood donation to the new canine blood bank at Ocean Breeze Animal hospital in Jensen beach. His owner and tireless adoption volunteer, owner of two other greys, Naomi McCann stood just a bit hesitant at first. A crowd of organizers, techs, Greyhound owners and well -wishers stood by as the donation was made. The greyhound and former racing dog WINSOME, a tall muscled white furred three year old was hardly bothered and happy with all the attention as the blood was drawn from the large vein in his neck.

As with human health issues, medical emergencies, accidents and blood disorders canines lives can be saved and extended with the ability to have blood transfusions. In the past many animals have died because of the inability to provide this lifesaving fluid to our companion animals. There is a tremendous need for canine blood components. A national shortage exists and the current number of veterinary blood banks cannot keep up with the demand.

In an effort to save the lives of their patients often veterinarians have kept live animals, called ‘in-house’ donors, or their own pets in their clinics just to provide needed blood. This is no life for a dog and considered by some to be cruel as well as inefficient. The other supplies are through ‘closed’ or ‘captive’ colonies, where no standards or monitoring can take place to ensure no harm or abuse comes to these canine donors.

The Jensen Beach facility is the most highly regarded type and model facility where the bottom line is saving lives not generating revenue. A ‘community -based volunteer program is a far better way to provide the needed supplies. A supply of fresh and frozen blood product can be kept in stock at the local Vet’s clinic to fill most emergency needs. Incidentally one blood donation creates enough blood products to treat four other dogs.

The Blood Bank in Jensen Beach has instituted a 24 hour 7 day a week cell phone service to arrange for additional supply to be furnished to Vet clinics and hospitals on demand. No need to keep animals just to provide blood supplies which when fresh have only an 8 hour period of efficacy.

The parent non-pro fit group was started by a medical Doctor in the Ft Lauderdale area. Dr Larry DeLucce adopted a mixed breed mutt from his local animal shelter. Soon unhappily the pup was diagnosed with hemophilia, a blood disorder that would end his life. It was found the disease could only be managed by having blood transfusions on a monthly basis. This chance condition brought a group of dedicated dog lovers, shelter animal folks and greyhound lovers together and the idea of a canine blood bank became a reality.

Locally Marjorie Pratt, whose passion is placing retired racing greyhounds in loving homes after their racing days are over had a greyhound who needed blood for life saving surgery. Because greyhounds have a universal blood type, are a large and docile breed with a easy accessible vein and the highest red blood cell count of any canine breed they are ideal donors and are often used by their owners for altruistic blood transfusions.

Pratt called some of the local greyhound owners, more than 100 here along the Treasure Coast, and with the first 20 owners she called all said they were happy to help and would be glad to have their greyhound used as a blood donor. The idea grew, and after Jensen Beach resident Naomi McCann brought her big handsome grey, THEO in, a successful transfusion was made. Marjorie’s much loved dog HARLAN survived the surgery and enjoyed several more years of happy life. (This delightful dog story was documented in the local papers)

Dr. Joseph Tomes of Ocean Breeze Animal Hospital picked up the baton and converted part of his hospital into an approved blood bank facility. He has a trained technician to manage the non-profit blood bank and a list of canine blood donors has been collected. Potential donors are requested to fill out a health assessment and release form, dogs are usually between 1 and 8 years old, generally more than 50 lbs, though dogs weighing more than 35 lbs may donate to the’ half-pint’ program. The dogs are current on vaccinations, are tested for communicable blood born diseases, are of even temperament and healthy. The donation process is brief and generally involves minimal if any discomfort. WINSOME was completely undisturbed and enjoyed the pats, kisses, scratches and hug during his donation which took about five minutes. Then he gobbled up his cookie treats enthusiastically. A fine way to begin the Blood Bank.

If you have a canine companion you can be confident to know we can save and extend the lives of our precious pets with the local availability to provide needed blood products to our pets.

The Canine Blood Bank is a 501(c)3 non-profit corp. and only the costs for the products are passed on. We can be proud that here on the Treasure coast we have one of only three non-profit canine Blood Banks in the country. For more information/questions/ to be a donor or for a brochure call Dr Tomes DVM @ Ocean Breeze Animal Hospital @ 334-pets (7387).

Story by Marjorie Pratt
Photos by Kimberly Pratt