I took Viva today to the Queen Mother Hospital for her blood donating. She was an absolute star, so well behaved. The nurse had said to me on the phone that alot of dogs dont actually donate on the first appointment, they use it to get them used to the room, used to the equiptment and noise and smells etc.
Viva was allowed to wonder around the room off lead to have a good smell of everything, the nurse likes to use alot of treats so they associate the room with food. Viva found the treat cupboard within minutes
and we have found her new love for dried fish
When we was filling in paperwork she laid down in the room and was very chilled out.
To do the donation they use a suction machine to help draw the blood a bit quicker so we turned that on so she could get used to the sound.
When doing the donation they ask for the dog to be laying on a table on their side with their head flat as they take the blood from her neck. Quite a few dog freak out at this as when being lifted to lay on their side it makes them feel like they are going to fall. She did struggle a bit during this bit but once laid down on her side she relaxed.
The nurse asked if i was happy to try giving the donation a go as Viva was rather chilled out at this point so we did.
She didnt react at all to the needle during the donation, 2 nurses held her incase she moved but she just laid there whilst they stroked her, i think she thought she was at a pampering spa, at one point she had 5 people stroking her all over
She was such a good girl im so pleased she did her donation without any problems
They gave her a bowl of food before we left to boost her back up and some more smelly dried fish
They tested to see if her blood type was DEA 1.1 positive or DEA 1.1 negative, she was DEA 1.1 negative. They are also doing a full check on her blood that i will get the results for on friday, they do a full blood check once a year and a health check each time she goes to donate.
They also gave her a free 12kg bag of hills advanced fitness food
and a certificate of appreciation