Mercer and Hughes first became aware of the Pet Blood Bank more than a year ago when Spot a lively Staffordshire Bull Terrier started haemorrhaging after a routine operation. Mrs Pedler, one of the senior partners at the practice said ‘’we used one of the vet’s dogs as a blood donor on the day of Spot’s operation as it was an emergency, but further tests revealed that Spot was in fact a haemophiliac and missing one of the clotting factors in his blood. We soon realised that we would need a regular supply of blood as it was likely that Spot would suffer further bleeds during his life”. The pet blood bank supplies plasma, which can be frozen and stored so it is always available for an emergency.

Blood donation is very similar to the human situation; a small sample of blood it taken first to make sure the dog is not anaemic and a thorough questionnaire is filled in. Then the dog is positioned on a padded table and about half a pint of blood is taken from the jugular vein. All the dogs behaved brilliantly and were rewarded with a tin of food and a goody bag and the owners got tea and biscuits too!  It is hoped that the blood donor days will become a regular feature as dogs can give blood 4 times a year. A free health screen is run on each dog’s blood and the owners also get to know their dog’s blood group. If anyone is interested in their dog becoming a blood donor, please contact Hannah the head nurse at the Saffron Walden surgery for more details. 

Mr Neal Spot’s owner wrote the following letter to us and is happy to be quoted in any articles.
 “Most owners are probably unaware of the need for blood donors amongst dogs but having a haemophiliac really brings it home. Striking a balance between wrapping him in cotton wool and allowing him the freedom to live a happy fulfilled life is hard. He is boisterous and affectionate with an insatiable appetite for life. Mercer and Hughes have become a central part of our lives, and without the diligence, dedication and attentiveness of all their staff our little guy would not be alive today. No words can begin to describe what their involvement with Spot has meant to us. Their speed and ability to firstly diagnose his condition before it was too late and subsequently treat him was admirable. They have also been responsible for saving his life on more than one occasion with timely blood transfusions. We would also like to thank all the dogs and their owners who made the effort to attend the blood donor day. We love our dog dearly and without the support and selflessness of these special people and their pets, the outlook for ours would be bleak’’