11 Dog Breeds Similar to the German Shepherd
Inside The Life-saving World Of Canine Blood Donors
By the time the two puppies arrived, their situation was already dire. After eating rat bait, the 16-week-old boxers were ghostly pale—"white gums, lethargic, barely able to lift their heads," recalls Karyn Kanowski, then a veterinarian at the only animal hospital in Alice Springs, a remote city in Australia's Northern Territory. "I didn't hold out much hope."
The poison had robbed the dogs of their ability to clot blood, leaving them hemorrhaging internally. Without an immediate transfusion on that evening in 2011, they wouldn't have lasted the night.
Desperate, Kanowski called on an unlikely hero: Bruce, a large mastiff belonging to one of the clinic's receptionists. Bruce had donated blood before and was known for his calm demeanor. (Learn why dogs are more like us than we thought.)
"He was a legend," she says. "Nothing fazed him. We drew about 400 milliliters and split it between the two pups."
With Bruce's donation and the clinic's remaining plasma stores, the puppies were stabilized. Slowly, their gums regained color. Five days later, they went home, wagging their tails as if nothing had happened.
For Kanowski, who now works in Newquay, England, it was a baptism by fire into the world of canine blood transfusions. In 2011, a rapid increase in the mice population in Australia had created a spike in rat bait poisoning, inundating several vet clinics with sick patients.
"That summer taught me just how critical blood donations are," she says, adding each pint of blood can save up to four lives.
Once considered rare and ad hoc, transfusions have become a life-saving tool in modern veterinary medicine. The demand for blood products in pets has skyrocketed in recent years, particularly in the United Kingdom, which is leading the way in canine blood donors.
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The U.K.'s most prolific canine donor, Sharwood, a Gordon setter, recently retired after his 40th donation at age 7, having helped save the lives of up to 160 other dogs.
A shift toward dog blood bankingAbout two decades ago, the U.K. Passed the Veterinary Medicines Regulations of 2005 so that dog blood could be collected, processed, and stored systematically, creating a reliable national supply—much like the country's human blood banking system. (Read about the inventor of the mobile blood bank.)
Advances in veterinary care have driven much of the demand for blood banking. "Treatments are getting more sophisticated," explains Lara Howe, veterinary surgeon and clinical supervisor at Pet Blood Bank U.K., a nonprofit founded in 2007 that has 14,000 registered donors and collects more than 3,000 units of blood annually.
"We're seeing more options for pets than ever before—procedures and therapies that simply weren't available even 20 years ago."
At the same time, "dogs are more likely to need transfusions now than they were even a decade ago," she says.
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The science of how lost dogs find their way homeAnd the need goes beyond emergencies. Immune-mediated diseases, where a dog's body attacks its own blood cells, are one of the most common causes for transfusions. In these cases, a transfusion buys crucial time, keeping the dog alive until medication can take effect and the body begins fighting the disease on its own.
As the field continues to grow, so does the need for awareness.
"Most people don't think about blood donation for pets until they're faced with a crisis," says Howe. "But when you see what a single donation can do, it's clear how important this is."
The science of saving livesDogs have two blood types: DEA 1 positive and DEA 1 negative. For vets, DEA 1 negative dogs are the gold standard—universal donors, capable of helping any recipient in a crisis.
To qualify as a donor in the U.K., dogs must meet a strict set of criteria: Being fit, healthy, and between one and eight years of age, as well as weighing over about 55 pounds and having a good temperament.
Many owners are motivated by a desire to help other pets in need, much like human blood donors, says Howe.
"A nervous dog isn't a good candidate," she points out. "We need dogs who enjoy meeting new people and are comfortable at the vet." Potential donors also undergo a health screening to rule out diseases or any medications in their system.
Once approved, the dogs come to the clinic, where a veterinary nurse numbs the area with local aesthetic, and the blood is drawn in a matter of minutes. Afterward, the dog gets a treat. In the U.S., owners who volunteer their dogs sometimes get free treatment or food vouchers from the clinic. (Read about the healing power of dogs.)
Blood is drawn into standard human bags, then separated into components—red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. "Platelets are crucial for clotting factors but expire in just five days," Howe explains. "Plasma, though, can be frozen for years, giving us a reliable resource."
For dogs that donate regularly, the process becomes routine. "Some of them love it," Howe says. "They get treats, attention, and the satisfaction—well, maybe we do—of saving lives."
As demand for blood products increases, there's also the possibility of expanding the service to cats. While not yet fully operational, the Pet Blood Bank U.K. Is already accepting registrations for healthy, large cats who enjoy being handled and spending time with people.
'Quiet heroes'Meanwhile, in the U.S. And other developed countries, canine blood donor systems are more fragmented, relying heavily on donations from staff pets and client animals. A limited number of larger practices in the U.S. Maintain their own blood supplies or have agreements with nearby clinics.
"It's a constant challenge," says David McGuffin, medical director at Riverside Drive Animal Care Center in Dublin, Ohio, which supports the Greyhound Health Initiative Canine Blood Bank, also in Dublin. With 94 donors, the initiative has collected and distributed over 5,100 units of blood. "We're always educating pet owners and trying to expand our donor base, but it's an uphill battle."
To owners skeptical about the process, McGuffin emphasizes that donor dogs are treated with the utmost care and respect. "If a dog is uncomfortable at any point, we stop," he says.
Adds Howe, of Pet Blood Bank U.K.: "These donor dogs are the quiet heroes of veterinary care. Their impact can't be overstated."
Strengthening Canine Tooth Support With Exercises
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Simplifying... Inshort
Boost your canine teeth's strength and stability with simple exercises.
Tongue push-ups and gentle jaw clenching can fortify your gums and jaw muscles, while chewing hard veggies like carrots enhances blood flow and muscle strength.
Don't forget to massage your gums daily for better circulation and balance your bite pressure during meals to avoid strain on any single tooth.
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Keeping your canine teeth strong is essential for maintaining overall dental health. These sharp, pointed teeth are key players in biting and tearing food, so their strength is crucial. In this article, we'll share five dental exercises specifically aimed at strengthening the support of your canine teeth. This way, you can ensure they stay healthy and do their job effectively.
Tongue push-ups for gum healthThe stronger your gums, the stronger would be your canine teeth. One easy exercise is tongue push-ups. Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth and hold it for three seconds before releasing. Doing this simple exercise 10 times a day can strengthen your gums, providing better support for your canines.
Jaw clenching for muscle strengthStrong muscles around your jaw are good for your canine teeth, as they help support them. To strengthen these muscles, you should gently clench your jaw, hold it for five seconds, and then release. Doing this exercise 15 times a day will significantly improve the muscle support around your canine teeth. A stronger muscle foundation helps keep these important teeth stable and healthy.
Chewing on hard vegetablesEating hard vegetables like carrots or celery isn't just a nutritious snack—it's also a natural workout for your canine teeth! Chewing these veggies increases blood flow to the gums and strengthens jaw muscles, which can help keep your teeth stable. This not only keeps your canines healthy but also strengthens their foundation, promoting overall dental health.
Gum massage for circulationEnhancing blood flow to the gums helps strengthen the support system for your teeth. By simply massaging your gums with a clean finger in a gentle, circular motion for two minutes each day, you can stimulate circulation. This practice not only increases blood flow but also aids in decreasing inflammation and fostering healthier gum tissue surrounding the canines.
Balancing bite pressureBalancing bite pressure across all your teeth is key to ensuring strong support for your canines. To do this, consciously bite down gently and evenly, making sure no single tooth bears the brunt of the pressure during meals. This approach helps distribute bite forces evenly, avoiding unnecessary strain on any one tooth, including the canines. Developing this habit will help maintain the health and strength of your canine teeth.
Canine Distemper Outbreak Impacting Virginia & NC Wildlife
NORFOLK, Va. — There's an outbreak of canine distemper among wildlife in Hampton Roads, according to one local wildlife rehabilitation group.
Meredith Broadhurst, President of Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge, said they're getting daily calls reporting strange behaviors with wildlife.
"I'm getting probably at least three calls a day on either a fox or a raccoon showing neurological issues," stated Broadhurst.
Watch related coverage: July's aggressive raccoons reports linked to canine distemper in the Outer Banks
July's aggressive raccoons reports linked to canine distemper in the Outer Banks
She added, "We usually take over 300 raccoons a year, and I don't think we hit over 100 this year. That's how decreased it's been because of the distemper outbreak."
Distemper is an infectious disease caused by an unidentified virus, and it's highly contagious. So, when they get a call about a possibly infected animal, Broadhurst says they might not take it because it has to be heavily quarantined as to not infect other nearby animals. Often, if it's showing symptoms or tests positive, it would be humanely euthanized, she explained.
"If they're starting already to where they're losing limb movement, and they're starting to do seizures, there's really no coming back from that."
Watch related coverage: Southern Shores shares tips about wildlife interactions after reports of aggressive raccoons
Southern Shores shares tips about wildlife interactions after reports of aggressive raccoons
Experts recommend that if you see an animal in the wild that's acting strangely, do not touch it and instead call animal control or a wildlife rehabber.
While humans cannot contract distemper, it is something that could be dangerous to dogs, so it's recommended to make sure your pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations.
"I know it's not a public safety, because it's not contagious to humans, but to me, I feel like, personally, my pets are like part of my family. I would want to know if I want to take precautions," Broadhurst said.
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