When canine WB is not available and is needed for a critically injured or ill MWD, blood can be collected from other canines for donation. U.S.-based MWDs are the recommended first-choice for walking-blood donors, since the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps knows that these canines are well-cared for, healthy, up-to-date on all major vaccinations and preventative medications, and clear of blood-borne infectious diseases. If an U.S.-based MWD is not available, consider a US based contract working dog as an alternative donor. Due to the high risk of disease transmission, NEVER use an indigenous canine as a blood donor. An ideal MWD to select for further screening is a canine that has never received a prior transfusion of any blood product (to include plasma products), weighs over 60 pounds (27 kg), are deemed healthy (based on physical examination), and not receiving any medication other than standard preventive medications (heartworm, flea and tick).

 

SCREENING21

Note: In an emergent situation when time is critical, it is reasonable to consider any healthy MWD as a blood donor even if they have not had the aforementioned screenings.  

 

BLOOD COLLECTION

Anticoagulants

Note: Canine WB anticoagulated with CPD results in a recommended shelf-life of up to 21 days when properly stored at 6°C (+/- 2°C). Approximately 1 mL of anticoagulant is used per 9 mL of blood collected from a dog. Caution: Accidental intravenous injection of undiluted citrate anticoagulants may cause cardiac arrest.

Sedation

If butorphanol is not available consider hydromorphone (0.05-0.1 mg/kg) IV/IM combined with midazolam.

Considering the average size MWD weighs approximately 30 kg, consider the following doses as acceptable for initial sedation in situations when a MWD’s weight is unknown and/or not obtainable:

Note: Most MWD Handlers have a weight-based MWD drug card that includes drugs doses that are specific to their MWD. Check for this card prior to making any weight-based drug calculations.

 

PROCEDURE

The specific ratio is 450 mL blood +/- 10% (i.e. 405 mL to 495 mL) per 63 mL of anticoagulant (CPD or CPDA-1).

  1. Clamp or tie off the line before removing the needle from the vein; this prevents air from entering the bag before all the blood has cleared the walls of the line.
  2. Remove the needle from the vein and apply appropriate pressure to the venipuncture site for at least 5 minutes to prevent further bleeding.
  1. Gently rotate the bag to mix the blood and anticoagulant;
  2. Invert the bag and allow the line to refill.
  3. Repeat four to five times to assure thorough mixing of the blood in the line with the anticoagulant in the bag.
  1. The line is then heat sealed, clamped or tied in segments for use in future cross-matches.

Note: The line has a series of numbers printed on the surface that correspond to segments. Fill the line, then use the heat sealer to separate it into appropriate segments (approximately 6 to 8 segments) or ‘pigtails’. These “pigtails” are used for cross-matching.

  1. Heat seal the line then cut the needle from line and discard the needle according to safety procedures.