Blood Bank
Just like people can donate blood to help save lives, dogs and cats can do the same for other pets in need. Whether a pet is facing trauma, surgery, or serious illness, our blood donor program ensures safe, compatible blood is ready when every second counts. We are always looking for healthy dogs and cats to join our donor program and help give other pets a second chance.
Benefits of joining our donor program:
- Annual physical examination
- Routine bloodwork and infectious disease screening
- Annual vaccines
- Year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
Dog requirements:
- Good overall health
- Calm and cooperative
- 1 to 8 years old
- Weigh at least 55 pounds (25 kg)
Cat requirements:
- Good overall health
- Calm and tolerant
- 1 to 10 years old
- Weigh at least 10 pounds (4.5 kg)
Donors are scheduled to visit the Veterinary Teaching Hospital on a rotating basis. All scheduled donations take place on Monday mornings.
In the event an emergency donation is required, donors will be contacted by phone to request immediate availability.
Owners will drop off enrolled pets on their scheduled Monday morning. Prior to each blood draw, each pet is given an examination by a veterinarian to ensure the animal is in good health.
Blood draws are conducted by a licensed veterinary technician and your pet is under supervision and care for the entire procedure and recovery.
Pets are able to go home the same day as the donation.
Just like in humans, your pet may be tired after a blood donation. We recommend using a harness to take your pet home to avoid irritating the draw site. Allow your pet to calmly rest for the remainder of the day.
Pets can return to regular activity the following day.
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Laura Vega, DVM, MS, DACVECC
Blood Bank Director
Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
lauravega@vt.edu
Melanie Gevedon, LVT
Special Procedures and Blood Bank Veterinary Technician
Contact us via email bloodbank@vt.edu or by calling 540-231-4621 and leaving us a message.
In the news
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Life-saving blood donation at Veterinary Teaching Hospital connects two dogs and their owners , articleThe Veterinary Teaching Hospital Blood Bank currently has 16 dog blood donors and three cat blood donors, and more are needed.
Date: May 2025 - -
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Veterinary Teaching Hospital teams work together on dog's medical mystery , articleTwo masses were removed from the German shorthaired pointer's chest, but clinicians still needed to learn what they had removed.
Date: December 2024 - -
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Veterinary Teaching Hospital blood bank seeks new donors , articleLike their human counterparts, dogs and cats regularly donate blood to support their fellow pets in the community.
Date: August 2023 -