Dog blood can be frozen in blood banks, but cat blood is difficult to maintain and usually is drawn as needed, Halford said. MSU has three cats and eight dogs available to donate blood. The cats rarely give blood, but the dogs donate about once every four to six weeks, Halford said. MSU blood donor dogs must at least weigh 50 pounds and be 12 to 18 months old. Dogs are typically kept three years as donors, then are adopted by screened families and usually keep ties with the veterinary college.
Health maintenance is a priority.
The dogs are dewormed every three months and their teeth are cleaned every three to four months as needed. Every six months a veterinarian makes a full blood count and checks for blood parasites. Yearly, the dogs receive complete physicals and vaccinations. Jason Peters, a certified veterinary technician who works closely with MSU's lab animals, said technicians and caregivers daily check each dog's condition and monitor exercise sessions. When the big day arrives for a blood donation, the dogs are ready, typically having learned the routine by the second time.