If you ever happened to be in an instance where there was non-availability of blood for someone you knew, the fuss that would've been kicked up would've been huge. But somehow, we seemed to have forgotten, or simply ignore the importance of the same for our pets.
A major issue that has been neglected, and has a select few championing the cause, is the lack of a blood bank for man's best friend, or at least something akin to that.
What does one do when you know that you cannot save the life of your pet dog because of non-availability of blood for transfusion? The fact is that the city does not have any system of finding donors for pets, and vets usually end up requesting owners to do so on their own.
On the occasion of World Veterinary day, which is this Saturday, City Express looks further into the growing demand.
“My 6-year old Tango (a cocker spaniel) died due to unavailability of blood. He was suffering from a stomach ailment and as his condition further deteriorated, doctors suggested surgery. Since he was anemic, he required a lot of blood but the surgery was conducted without making proper arrangements for blood,” says Vani Vaddadi, a resident of Diamond point, Secunderabad and a part time French teacher at Osmania University.
Sympathising with Vani, Bundla Padmaja, founder, Caring Hands for Animals, adds, “It has become quite common that dogs to die due to non-availability of blood.” According to her, vets usually ask owners to find donors and that is nearly impossible. “There has always been demand for a blood bank. And if Chennai has one, why don't we?”
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) in Chennai, in the April of 2010 had established India’s first blood bank for canines. Doctors say dogs between the ages of one to eight and weighing 20 kg can donate 300 ml blood at a time, about four times a year.
Meanwhile, some private vets in the city are already in the process of setting up their own banks.
Admitting that owners are mostly reluctant to donate blood, Dr Muralidhar, founder of Dr Dogs pet clinic, says, “The need of the hour is to set up a blood bank. We are planning to privately start our own bank for dogs, and also create an awareness among dog owners to come forward with donations.” However, he knows that besides being extremely expensive, the biggest challenge would be educating dog owners.
The doctor, who performs around 15 surgeries and 2-3 blood transfusions in a month, points out, “The requirement for transfusion is much more. There are 13 blood groups in dogs and first time transfusions do not require matching blood.”
Adding more, Dr Lakshmi Ramana of Animal Care Clinic asserts, “I am aware of so many cases where dogs die due to non-availability of timely blood transfusion and it is just a fact.” According to her, the requirement for transfusion of blood and blood products (like plasma, white blood cells, etc) in dogs usually depend on seasons. “Tick fever, bleeding disorders, Parovirus, etc, are some cases where a lot of blood is usually required. I come across 2-3 transfusions a month, but numbers could be much more if only there is proper availability of blood. The rules and regulations are so strict that it does not allow vets to collect blood for transfusions,” she adds.
On the other hand, Dr Anjaiah, superintendent at the Narayanaguda Superspeciality Vet Hospital, begs to differ. According to him, the non-availability is not causing the deaths. “So far, once we've examined the bloodwork, we manage with substitute therapies and treatment. In fact, research is still going on in establishing blood types in different breeds.”
He doesn't disagree though that a blood bank would definitely make things better for both doctors and their canine patients. Nevertheless, he points out that a blood bank comes with its own set of complications. "Just like modern equipment and other facilities, a blood bank for dogs will be welcoming and there is a need. But, that requires a number of other factors like space, staff, equipment, license etc. Maybe in the future, once we have all the information required and the infrasturcture, we could have a blood bank in the city," he opines optimistically.