Like people, cats sometimes need blood, not just because of blood loss that may occur during an operation or a car accident but also as a result of such conditions as kidney failure or leukemia. Might your cat make a good blood donor?
First, there are demographic requirements. Many veterinary facilities require that cats meet the following criteria:
➤ Between 2 and 6 years old.
➤ Weigh more than 10 pounds.
➤ Not overweight.
➤ Healthy in general.
➤ Up to date on all required vaccinations.
➤ Not taking any medications (including insect and parasite preventatives).
Beyond that, your cat has to be a mellow sort. It’s not that donating blood is painful or difficult. Quite the opposite. In fact, a cat will pretty much sleep through it. Once your pet is sedated and an IV catheter is inserted, blankets are placed for his comfort and the vet takes only about 2 ounces of blood (as opposed to the pint or so taken from both dogs and people). It’s all over in a few minutes. While your feline recuperates, fluids are introduced through the catheter to prevent dehydration. Your pet relaxes in a quiet spot until he reaches alertness, then gets fed (because overnight fasting is required for the procedure) and is sometimes given a toy to take home.
But if your cat does not like being handled, especially at the veterinarian’s office, and finds such visits traumatic, he should not be put through it even if he meets all the other criteria. For a cat who does enjoy an occasional outing and likes interacting with people, blood donation might be just the thing to perk up his day. It can occur once every three weeks, although every couple of months is more common. Sometimes the vet will throw in a perk like a free yearly exam or some other incentive.
