Pets Magazine

Club Pets Magazine (Dec 2010) 

click to enlarge

Zeus Communications set up Singapore's first canine blood donor database and was featured in Club Pets' Magazine, December 2010 issue! Blood donations are essential and life-saving because not only do they give life to a fellow canine, it also give dogs a second chance at life. Do grab a copy of Club Pets' December 2010 and read about why we should let our dogs be blood donors and how Venus, a stray dog, despite having gone through so much hardship, donated blood to save a little Chihuahua who was suffering from tick fever.

Venus - Dare To Live

Every once in a while, an animal touches our lives and shows us what they are really made of – true courage, strength, love, compassion and determination. It has been said many times that animals enter our lives for a reason. We may not see the reason at that particular moment but some time down life's journey, when we sit and reflect, we often realize why they came into our lives. Nothing in life is coincidental, everything happens for a reason. Often, a very valid reason, that makes us better humans.

Strong and determined. Venus gave us many lessons in life.

For Venus, she taught us many lessons. She showed us how strong she was, fighting to live, getting out of her pain and depression from having lost her babies in a miscarriage and living in pain with a broken hipbone. Enduring surgery after surgery to rectify her broken hip, to be sterilized and then having to go through sessions upon sessions of massage and walks with Cary or Dawn (staff at the Vet) to build up her leg muscles again. The physical and emotional pain. She taught us to never give up, no matter how life gets us down. 

Bigger and stronger, Venus is slowly using her injured leg again.

For those who have been faithfully following Venus’ route to recovery, silently cheering her on, you would know that she has been at the Vet for more than two months – this would, of course mean that her bills have amounted to no small amount too. A whopping $3000+ to be exact. However, the thought of the escalating bills never discouraged us from helping her; never once did we think of releasing her back to the streets when she had not fully recovered. Just like Venus’ faith in us that we would care for her and see it through, our faith in all our friends and fellow animal lovers have not waned – we know that somehow, some way, friends will continue to contribute and help us out with her vet bills. We never doubted that, just as Venus had entrusted her life in our hands. She taught us Faith.

Venus also taught us to use our skills as Animal Communicators, to understand her fears, her pain, and her gratitude. Yes, despite the fact that she tries to snap at us when we pat her, we know she is grateful to us for helping her.

If you had for one moment thought that dogs are far more superior beings than humans, well – you thought right. Despite the hard life that Venus had gone through, she helped save a life! She was resting in her “Redhill Suite” when a Chihuahua, owned by Mr Vernon Cornelius, needed a blood transfusion. An An had not been eating for a few days and had been diagnosed with tick fever. He needed blood to live. Immediately Drs thought of Venus, who was lazing in her suite waiting for volunteer, Lynette, to bring her her daily ration of beef, eggs and rice. Dr Ang called Lynda for her consent and Lynda immediately agreed to let Venus donate blood and Mr Vernon was absolutely relieved. On a separate note, a doggy blood donor should be at least 25 kg in weight. Venus is lighter than 25 kg, but she was donating blood to a Chihuahua, and An An only required 75ml of blood from Venus, instead of the usual full bag of 450ml.

Blood is drawn from the jugular vein.

Drawing blood.



It's in their blood to save lives.

An An receiving blood.

We visited Venus the following day and what we saw absolutely amazed us – she was glowing with pride. Yes, she knew she had done a good deed, she knew she had saved a life and she was extremely proud of herself for doing that!

We are still hoping that someone would write in to offer to adopt Venus. Like we often say, even if it means living in the patio or garden for the rest of her life, it is still paradise compared to where she came from. Venus has been to hell and back. She never gave up, neither will we. Everyday we continue to hope and pray that someone will want to take her to their home and give her a life that this black beauty truly deserves.
 

A HERO in every sense of the word.

We would like to thank Lynette for faithfully bringing food to Venus everyday, rain or shine, for the past two months of Venus’ stay at the Redhill Suite and Dr Ang for the use of her photographs.

Do stay tuned for Venus’ next update, as she goes for her very first swim. Venus will be discharged this Sunday.

We salute Venus with this song, Dare To Live.

Written by Fiona.

A note from Mr Vernon Cornelius.

In certain emergencies Pet Animals DO need Blood Donations!

After my dog, An An, was diagnosed with 'Tick Fever' by Veterinarian Dr Ang Yilin, he was found to have a drop in blood count, and platelet count. A very dangerous situation, and he urgently needed emergency 'Blood Transfusion'! So the panic was on to find a suitable match and donor!

An An feeling down

It was to our blessed good fortune that a big, once badly injured dog named Venus, recovered by Ms Lynda Goh, was being treated at Mount Pleasant Animal Medical Center (Redhill). Venus' blood was a perfect match, and so began the process of her blood extraction to help An An survive!

St Venus' Blood Donation saved An An's life! It is with deepest gratitude and many thanks to the very generous heart of Ms Lynda Goh, but it was St Venus' 'gift of life' that saved An An!

Mr Vernon Cornelius with An An.

I must shamefully admit I never really gave much thought to Blood Donations for Animals, but having experienced this life or death encounter for my beloved pet, it made me realize the seriousness for such a need, and the urgent necessity for an Animal Blood Bank!

Singapore's First Canine Blood Donor Database Launch on World Animal Day

PRESS RELEASE

30 September 2010

SINGAPORE’S FIRST CANINE BLOOD DONOR DATABASE LAUNCH

ON WORLD ANIMAL DAY

Zeus Communications is pleased to announce, on the occasion of World Animal Day 2010, the launch of Singapore’s first canine blood donor database, maintained by Zeus Communications in collaboration with Mount Pleasant Animal Medical Centre. It is also organizing the first drive for canine blood donation towards this new databank.

Dogs, like humans, may need blood for a wide variety of reasons, whether as a result of traumatic injuries from accidents, bone marrow problems, surgical blood loss or tick fever. While blood transfusions are most commonly used to staunch blood loss, it is also used for the treatment of canine illnesses.

Lynda Goh of Zeus Communications explains that “too often, owners are faced with the situation of not being able to locate a suitable donor candidate when their dog requires a blood transfusion urgently. Currently, appeals for canine blood are circulated by email or posted on social networking platforms, and it may take days to locate a suitable donor.” Volunteers with Zeus Communications believe a database of potential canine blood donors can help to alleviate this problem and enable critically ill dogs to be treated sooner. The blood bank is targeted to be accessible by late next month (October 2010).

Pet owners need not be afraid that donating blood will either weaken their pets or be a painful exercise, Zeus Communications says that canine blood donation is similar to that of humans both in terms of process and preparation. Blood donation is relatively painless, and judging from past experience, most dogs do not mind giving blood at all.

The process is fairly straight forward. It starts with a physical check-up for the dog before any actual collection of blood begins. The potential donor has to satisfy a few conditions, such as:

-           Weighing at least 25 kilograms

-           Be between the ages of 1 year and 7 years old

-           Be up-to-date on vaccinations

-           Be on heart-worm prevention

-           Should not have previously received a blood transfusion or be on long-term

            medication.

After the donation, the dog donor may wish to take it easy, but many will get on with their normal routine.

Zeus Communications welcomes all dog owners to take part in its canine blood donation drive.  They can register their canine dog donor via an email to dogstalk@starhub.net.sg, stating their particulars and those of their pet’s.  Alternatively, they can visit Zeus Communications’ blog at http://zeusdoggybloodbank.blogspot.com.

Source: My Paper, 11 October 2010

Source: TODAY, 1 October 2010

Rex's Gift of Life

Labradors are known to be loyal and affectionate dogs and Rex is no different. The only thing that's extra-special about Rex is that he has saved a life through donating blood. When Little Joe, a young mongrel who was rescued from the industrial sites, was diagnosed with tick fever and needed a blood transfusion, Rex became an instant hero. Rex's blood type matched that of Little Joe's and it was heartwarming to see Rex being so calm and composed as blood was drawn from him. He somehow knew that the sacrifice of a small amount of blood would help his little friend who needed that essence of life.

Proud Mommy, Stephanie (left), with Rex. Renowned Animal Communicator, Rosina Arquati, presenting
Rex with his award

For that generous act of kindness, Zeus Communications presented Rex with a Blood Donor Award. This award is to thank Rex for his blood donation which saved Little Joe. We hope to see more dog owners stepping forward to allow their pets to share the gift of life with ill and injured dogs who need blood.

Rex's award for his heroic deed

Little Joe, saved by Rex's blood donation

Rex's blood donation was life-giving. Almost all healthy dogs can donate blood. Not only is blood donation a simple and painless procedure, it also saves a precious life. Blood can be replenished by the body's natural system, but once a life is lost, it cannot be restored. A life, be it that of a human or animal, is still a life that needs to be saved. 

Written by our young volunteer, Jo-Ann, 16 yrs old.   

How Often Can My Dog Donate Blood? Does It Hurt?

Animals can safely donate blood every 6 weeks.

A standard blood donation for a dog is 450ml (‘one canine unit’) and this can safely be obtained from a dog that weighs at least 25kg. It is safe for a 25kg dog to donate this amount of blood because it holds this volume of blood in reserve in the spleen. After about 4 weeks, all that blood has been replaced back into the body. After 6 weeks, it is safe for the dog to donate again because the reserve volume has been replaced in the spleen. Smaller amounts may be obtained from smaller dogs.

Donating blood is almost painless, and most dogs don’t seem to mind giving blood at all. In fact, most dogs don't even realise that they are donating blood!

Do Dogs Have Different Blood Types?

Yes. Dogs have blood groups and can be blood-typed, just like humans.

A dog’s blood type is referred to as ‘dog erythrocyte antigens’ (DEA), with a number reference. So far, the recognized blood types in dogs are DEA 1.1, 1.2, 3 through 8. Transfusion from a donor who has never been typed or pregnant or transfused to a recipient, independent of their blood types is generally safe.

Basic blood types include DEA 1:1 negative and DEA 1:1 positive. DEA 1.1 negative dogs are considered universal donors, and their blood can be safely transfused into any other dog (similar to type O in humans). The ideal blood donor is negative to DEA 1:1, 1.2 and 7. But both positive and negative dogs are still eligible to donate. 

Studies have shown that some breeds such as Greyhounds, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and American Pitbull Terriers are more likely to be universal donors.

What Does Doggie Blood Donation Involve?

For dogs, the blood donation process takes about 5-10 minutes, but you should plan on spending up to 30-40 minutes at a blood drive. This is what happens during the process:

 

Dogs will first receive a physical examination and health history will be taken.

A large accessible vein is needed. This is typically a vein in the neck or, sometimes, the cephalic vein on the front of the foreleg.

The area is clipped and aseptically prepared before insertion of the needle.

The donor is either gently held sitting or lying on his/her side. The needle is gently inserted into the vein until a free flow of blood is obtained.

Collection time is usually about 10 minutes for a full bag and varies from donor to donor.

A small meal is offered (like tea and biscuits for us!) after a donation, as a reward.

After donation, an area of swelling and bruising may be seen where the needle was inserted. This should fade over a few days.

Ideally, you should be present to provide comfort to your dog and keep it calm while it donates. However, most dogs become used to the procedure after a few donations and can be quite calm and relaxed even without their owners around!

After the donation, your dog may want to take it easy, but many are comfortable to get on with their normal routine.

We recommend that you do not engage your dog in strenuous activity for the next two days following blood donation.

Most dogs are able to sit still for the 10-minute donation with no problem, especially after they donate a few times and become used to the procedure. You should be present at every donation to help keep your dog calm and still while it donates. Once at home, your dog may want to take it easy, but many will get on with their normal routine.