In the waiting room of CHV Frégis in Gentilly, Charlotte watches for the elevator. Alpha, her 3-year-old Creole shepherd, is in the intensive care unit, two floors up. “I’m a little stressed“, Charlotte admits to 20 Minutes. She walks in circles, her gaze fixed on the metal door which is slow to open.
That morning, masters arrive with their companions, harnesses adjusted, reassuring caresses. Six dogs and three cats pass through the service one after the other, under the watchful eye of the teams. They are not sick: they come for a good deed which, tomorrow, can save another animal. And sometimes, a cat.
Dog blood donation: at CHV Frégis, bags that save in emergencies
In the hallway, Bella, a black Labrador, enters. “I can’t donate blood because of my diabetes, so at least there is one who will do a BA“, says Véronique, his mistress. “If one day she needs it, we will be very happy to find it.” Floriane, owner of Cassiopeia, a spotted border collie with blue eyes, agrees: “I work in a veterinary center and have seen dogs in critical condition being saved thanks to blood bags“, says Floriane, owner of Cassiopée. At CHV Frégis, approximately 45% of transfusions take place during emergencies and 35% during planned interventions, needs have increased significantly in recent months.
Doctor Anna Anderco supervises the collection. “We will take a blood test to determine her blood type, check that she is not anemic, that she does not suffer from an infectious disease or kidney problems and do a hematology test.“, lists Anna Anderco. Once the tests have been completed, it’s time to take a sample from the jugular vein: “She weighs 27 kg, so we take 250 ml“, explains the practitioner. After sedation, dogs receive an antidote which accelerates awakening; in cats, falling asleep is often deeper. “Last time, all the stock was used in two weeks“, testifies Dr. Anderco. “You must therefore have a larger number, but not too many either because the bags can only be kept for one month to 48 days..” When Alpha reappears, leopard harness and still blurred eyes, Charlotte hugs her: “Oh, my baby love. It’s over!“
Who can donate and how it works (dogs, cats, blood types)
THE animal blood donation obeys simple criteria: being in good health, up-to-date vaccinations and antiparasitic medications, having never been transfused, and being between 1 and 8 years old. The minimum weight varies depending on the center: often 12 kg for a dog and 3.5 kg for a cat in Frégis; 20 kg and 4 kg at ENVT (Toulouse); 25 kg and 5 kg at the CHV des Cordeliers (Meaux). A minimum period of three months is required between two donations. The clinical examination is followed by complete analyzes and a grouping ; a compatibility test can be carried out if necessary. In terms of progress, the session generally lasts 1.5 to 2 hours for a dog (a little more for a cat), but the sampling itself takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the protocols, volumes and the cooperativeness of the animal; sedation is systematic and waking up monitored, an essential point for comfort and safety.
THE blood groups count. In dogs, we talk about the system DEA ; in cats, groups A, B and ABthe cross-match avoiding immune reactions. The bags are used in cases of anemia, hemorrhage, risky surgery, poisoning (rat poison, paracetamol) or serious infections; whole blood can be stored for around 30 days at 4°C and plasma for several years. In exceptional practice, a dog-to-cat xenotransfusion can be attempted as a last resort, outside of a dedicated feline solution. To compensate for shortages, Frégis maintains a base of around a hundred donors who can be mobilized and organizes dedicated days, with an average of eight pairs expected, free blood test, kibble and goodies at stake. Assumed objective: strengthen the reserves so that each transfusion arrives on time
dogs and cats who need it.