A survey of medication and raw food use among canine blood donors

Abstract

Background: Blood donors are screened for medication use to determine their health status and to ensure that the collection will be safe and efficacious for transfusion. Although stringent medication deferral guidelines exist for human blood donors, no consensus exists as to which medications should be permitted among canine donors. Methods: A brief survey regarding canine donor screening methods was distributed to an online hematology and transfusion medicine group and included questions pertaining to commonly prescribed medications and consumption of a raw food diet. Key Findings: The survey results demonstrate that more than half of the respondents accept canine donors given thyroid supplements, whereas respondents were split as to whether they accept canine donors given antihistamines chronically. Most survey respondents exclude canine donors taking anti-inflammatory or anti-itch medications unless in acute circumstances and only after a washout period. More than half of the survey respondents exclude dogs fed a raw food diet. Significance: The survey results demonstrate that there is no obvious agreement regarding which medications to permit in canine donors. Evidence-based guidelines are needed to inform best practices and the subsequent decisions made by donor programs.