From The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
By Kevin Smith
Staff Writer
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RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Sunni loves to catch Frisbees and chase tennis balls. But the 4-year-old American pit bull terrier also participates in something far more important - donating blood. "She's what they call a universal blood donor," said Toni Klemstein, the dog's owner. "She's missing the antigens that cause other dogs to react to a donation. She's already donated blood three or four times." Klemstein, a receptionist at Baseline Animal Hospital in Alta Loma, said blood is frequently needed for dogs that have been injured or have autoimmune problems. Once, I had a little, old couple who had a tiny poodle," the 43-year-old Rancho Cucamonga resident said. "They got a kick out of the fact that a pit bull's blood was used for the transfusion." Baseline veterinarian Bruce Armstrong said the practice of blood typing for dogs has only been in use for the past 10 years. Most vets don't provide the service, because the process is costly and time consuming, he said. "It costs about $70 to $80 to do a blood type and another $100 to $200 to do the transfusion," Armstrong said. "We don't do it here. I only get about one or two dogs a month that need blood." Emergency veterinarian hospitals often need blood, and Hemopet in Irvine is one of the places where they can get it. Hemopet is one of four canine blood banks in the United States. The nonprofit facility provides about 120 units of blood per week, said Jason Barnhart, operations manager. "We deliver blood throughout the U.S., Canada and sometimes Hong Kong," he said. "We have about 130 donor dogs. They're all greyhounds. We rescue them out of the racing industry. They are excellent donors."
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A larger percentage of greyhounds are universal donors compared to other
breeds. Hemopet can provide either plasma or packed red blood cells,
depending on what is needed. Barnhart said there is a definite shortage of available blood for dogs. More universal donors are always needed, he said. "We're all sold out now," he said. "The shortest turnaround time we can get blood out is about a week to a week and a half." Owners whose pets have been injured or suffered other kinds of trauma can generally get blood quicker at emergency veterinarian hospitals, Barnhart said. Armstrong said there is a blood registry available for dogs, but few owners participate. Klemstein said her dog is a great companion. "Sunni is sunny, like the name," she said, as the dog nuzzled affectionately against her hand. "She's happy to go anywhere and she's great with other dogs. She's just a real good dog."
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