My Blood donor

Pasofino · 07-15-2008, 10:19 AM

Here is my little terrier/lab mix, who is one of my rescue pups. She is 4

I am so proud of her. She donates blood every 6 weeks at NCSU-SVM and is saving the lives of other dogs...she is Blood Donor of the Month this month...my Ashlee...

alphadoginthehouse · 07-15-2008, 12:21 PM

That is soooo cool. Love the eyes.

Rough_Collies2008 · 07-15-2008, 12:24 PM

How neat! She is beautiful

MyCharlie · 07-15-2008, 02:19 PM

Way to go Ashlee!! What an interesting look she has.

LunarFlame · 07-15-2008, 02:42 PM

What a cute story and a beautiful dog you have there!

Pasofino · 07-15-2008, 04:01 PM

Thanks all, she is a sweetie pie. She has more personality in one leg than my other 8 pups all put together! She loves all dogs and humans, never met a stranger.

She was found when she was about 5 weeks old, half starved and covered in fleas, ticks and mange.

Once she was healthy again, I found out that she had severe hip dysplasia (at only 5 months old) and has had 2 FHO surgeries and has not stopped running since!.

She won the heart of all the staff..

We lovingly call her the terrorist.

CrazyDog · 07-15-2008, 05:02 PM

What a pretty dog! She looks like a real sweet girl.

Thats a great story......it's a wonderful thing you/her do to help other pets. Thank you for doing what you do.

ChrissyBz · 07-15-2008, 06:03 PM

That's so cool! and she's adorable I love her whiskers.

gingersmom · 07-15-2008, 10:24 PM

She looks like such a happy soul!

Her white blaze on her chest is just like the one my dog Ginger has.

meg&bernie · 07-16-2008, 09:21 AM

That is so great, I never heard of a dog donating blood or even thought of it. What a great thing to do! Good job Ashlee!!

Radar_Love · 07-16-2008, 01:55 PM

Ashlee is so pretty. And, she is doin' such a wonderful thing for other dogs. I really commend you and her both.

Pasofino · 07-17-2008, 01:41 PM

If anyone lives near a veterinary school, inquire about giving blood...or your dog giving blood.

It is a great program and my little Ashlee has saved many canine lives that may not have been able to be saved had she not given blood.

I took 4 dogs in , but she was the ony one who "passed" all the tests. I only had 4 that were under 5.

There are pretty strict requirements, at least at NCSU-SVM....

After a battery of tests to determine if the blood is the type that can be used and the dog is healthy, etc...

They also must be between the ages of 2 & 5, and have a good temperament, not excitable, over 50 lbs and you must be able to stay in the program at least 2 years.

I take her every 4-6 weeks, leave her there for a few hours and take her home.

Patt · 07-17-2008, 02:11 PM

Beautiful Ashlee, what a wonderful thing to do.

I do have one question though, isn't 4-6 weeks (for 2 years) too often for a blood donor? From what I have read donating blood is usually 3 or 4 times a year.

Pasofino · 07-17-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patt

Beautiful Ashlee, what a wonderful thing to do.

I do have one question though, isn't 4-6 weeks (for 2 years) too often for a blood donor? From what I have read donating blood is usually 3 or 4 times a year.

Thanks!

I am not a vet, so my response is just assuming....

The 4-6 week time frame is just one of the guidelines, so I am sure that they adjust it according to each dog.

Ashlee was almost 4 when she started and we went about every 6 weeks, sometimes the visits were longer apart sometimes closer, depending on the need for blood donations and how busy they were.

Sometimes the coordinator of the program becomes overloaded and 2 months will have passed so I call her !

So, in response to your question, I am not sure! I will ask the next time I go in.