Thanks for the post, I had never thought about such a need. My older dog would not be a good candidate (he shakes uncontrollably during/after every vet visit) but I’ll keep it in mind and will help spread awareness.

I am without a dog at the moment, but plotting away for getting a Lagotto. Thank you for the suggestion. I will make a point of seeing about this in the future. My normal vet is a part of a large emergency practice, so it should be easy enough to do.

Interesting, something I never thought of.

Do dogs have different Blood types?

Do dogs have different Blood types?

Yup! We had to get Molly blood-typed before her surgery b/c it is common for dogs to need a transfusion during recovery and they had to make sure they had the right blood on hand.

One of the benefits for your pup if he/she becomes a donor is that you find out your dog's blood type. If, heaven forbid, your dog ever gets sick or hurt, you will have this info in an emergency. Our regular vet couldn't do the blood typing (it's not a super common test) so we had to have it done at UF Gainsville when she went to see her cardiologist.

From PennVet:

• It is estimated that 40% of dogs are DEA 1.1-positive. A DEA 1.1-positive dog can receive either DEA 1.1- positive or DEA 1.1-negative blood. However, a dog that is DEA 1.1-negative should receive only DEA 1.1-negative blood.

I’ve never heard of this Beagles, but it makes sense when you think about it. Thank you for sharing, I’ll have to check out the link you’ve provided.

Rita, I’ve never heard of a Logatto before and googled it. They are too cute and reading out their traits, I can see why you’d want one. No shedding is a bonus too.

I'm glad you brought this up. I've only heard about this in a more unseemly light--that is when a vet had a "house dog" or some name like that, that was kept primarily as a universal blood donor for dogs under the vet's care. I'm glad there is a more professional and compassionate other side. Thanks for letting us know.

Jojoco- this might be what you’re recalling....this is near me. Please educate yourselves on the topic. I know a lot of greyhound rescuers.

https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-animal-blood-donor-greyhound-rescue-20190430-story.html

ETA correct link

Rita - DH and I tried to find a reputable breeder of Lagottos about 6 years ago and there were not many to be found - or all their puppies and future litters were spoken for. Since we didn't want to be without a dog for too much longer we finally gave up and went back to our previous breed - a labrador retriever.

I wish you luck though. Do you know a breeder?

Beagles, I sadly have no pets, but will post the link on my neighborhood Next Door site. It’s too wonderful not to spread the word!

maire_cate, that is exactly my problem! The litters are all spoken for and the breeder I had the most confidence in has moved back to Europe. I am at square one! I would love a labrador retriever, but I need a dog with poodle type fur because of allergies. If this goes on much longer, I will have to change my plan. I like labradoodles, but seriously worry about dogs that are so popular.

Rita - I understand your concern. My long-time vet cautioned me that it would be difficult to find a Lagotto puppy for 2 main reasons - the first was that there weren't that many breeders around but the second reason was alarming - since that breed was a little less common he knew of 2 cases where a Lagotto had been breed to a Labradoodle and passed off as a Lagotto. And of course once you fell in love with your puppy you'd keep it - and the breeder would change names or move on.

Fortunately I don't have allergies and while DH does, the dog doesn't seem to bother him. But even Labs are popular so we sought out a small breeder who raised them in her home.

Perhaps you need a trip to Italy!

I've heard of vets keeping "house dogs" for blood donation too, and it' makes me sad :( I wish more people knew of dog blood donations so there would be no reason for that to ever occur. Most of the programs offer all kinds of benefits for the dog, sometimes free food and treats as well as free exams and a guarantee of blood for a transfusion should the dog or any household pets ever need one.

Vets should host blood donation drives or something to publicize this more. It was never on my radar until Molly needed her transfusion, but there's so much demand for blood for dogs w/ cancer or who suffer a trauma or have other serious conditions.

RVC gives the dogs who have transfusions the names of the donor dogs and often people send little treats, gifts, or at least thank yous to the owners and let them know about the dog that was saved with the donation. It's a really wonderful thing.

My guys are too old, sadly, and too small -- plus Molly would no longer be eligible due to the fact she has had a transfusion. But if I ever get a bigger dog, I will be doing this for sure (provided my dog isn't terrified of vets and thus not a good candidate).

Beagles - thanks for posting this. I had never even thought about this before. We're going to our vet next month and I'm going to ask him about it. He trained at U.Penn and Margaret, our Lab adores him and even enjoys going for her visits.

That's awesome maire_cate :) Hopefully it will work out. Molly's surgeon from RVC taught at U Penn way back in the day, I think around 2005. They had tried to start a heart surgery program to correct MVD back then but it wasn't a success b/c they were trying I think replacement valves which the dog's bodies rejected -- the repair technique hadn't been invented back then. That's amazing your dog likes the vet -- must be a great doctor :)

Win-win opportunity! Why isn't there more outreach??? (rhetorical)

We have been to seven vets in the past three weeks and I will contact each office to inquire if they can spread the word. The staff was very nice so I am certain that they would be willing.

Dog donors... I'd never ever thought about this.

I wonder if cats could be cat blood donors, too? I know most of them are all about the same size, so the issue may be a bit more difficult than with dogs... but then again rejection may remain an issue no matter the pet species.

That's awesome nannygoat18! Hope all your pets are OK with so many vet visits :)

artemis_ma I looked it up and cats can indeed be blood donors! It appears that they sedate cats first though, so it's a much bigger ask of the owners (I would be very worried about putting my pet under sedation) https://1stpetvet.com/could-your-cat-be-a-blood-donor/