Times of India
18 October 2010
By Ajay Sura
Chandigarh, India

A blood bank database for human is not new, but now the man’s best friend can also walk that last mile with him as the Panchkula–based Government Pet Clinic has opened a blood bank for dogs. The first–of–its kind in north and second in the country, the blood bank has been started by the Haryana state animal husbandry department to run the clinic on international pattern. India’s first blood bank for dogs was started by Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai, in April.

Dr MR Singla, in–charge of the institution, said the facility has been launched after taking into account rising death rate among critically–ill canines due to loss of red blood cells during surgeries or accidents. Dogs may also need blood transfusion in case of shock, infection, iron deficiency, severe anaemia and spleen injury, he said and pointed out that initially they had started the facility with two units of blood collected from healthy dogs who had come to the hospital for birth control.

The hospital is now looking for good donors who are ready to donate blood of their pets to save the lives of other canines.

The blood bank will give veterinary professionals of the region quick access to blood products, allowing life–saving blood transfusions, Singla said.

According to veterinarians, just like humans, dogs, too, have blood types. There are around 14 types of blood in dogs, out of which around eight, including a universal donor, have been identified. On deep freeze, canine blood remains fit for transfusion for three months.