Dogs serving vet school as blood donors

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- These unsung heroes lead a dog's life. Meet Giddo, Wessor, Morton, Gnat, Goliath and Cletus, blood donor greyhounds at the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine.

They give blood to help save the lives of fellow canines.

Matt Haight, internal medical technician at the college, said blood transfusion in animals is common veterinary practice. The veterinary college performed more than 1,000 last year.

To qualify as donors, dogs must weigh 65 pounds or more and have undergone multiple blood tests and have completed a physical examination.

Dogs injured in car crashes, those that are anemic and those suffering from heat stroke or undergoing chemotherapy for cancer are among the ones that require emergency transfusions.

While wounded or sick dogs get a literal shot in the arm with transfusions, donor dogs get a pretty good deal, too.

Dr. Leah Cohn, associate professor of veterinary medicine at Missouri, said most of their donor dogs are greyhounds that have been rescued after their racing careers are over.

These dogs are either euthanized or given up for adoption. Because it is difficult to find owners for these dogs, giving them jobs as blood donors at a veterinary clinic for two or three years offers a kind of halfway house.

"During the time they spend at the clinic, these dogs and cats get used to people and interacting with them," Cohn said. "By the time we adopt them out, they make excellent pets."