From Donor to Storage: Building a Blood Bank in Your Veterinary Practice

When seconds count, having blood on hand can mean the difference between life and death. This practical, hands-on lecture guides veterinarians through building a functional in-house blood bank—from selecting and screening healthy canine and feline donors to safely collecting and storing whole blood in dogs and cats. Attendees will gain confidence in establishing efficient, low-risk collection protocols and learn how to properly store and manage blood products in any practice setting.
We will emphasize why whole blood is the gold standard for resuscitating actively bleeding patients and how having an in-house supply can transform emergency care. Walk away prepared to save lives.

• Identify and select appropriate canine and feline blood donors by applying comprehensive health screening criteria to ensure donor and recipient safety.
• Demonstrate safe techniques for whole blood collection in dogs and cats, including proper handling, anticoagulation, and minimizing donor risk.
• Establish and manage an in-house veterinary blood bank, including proper storage, labeling, and utilization of blood products to support the rapid resuscitation of critically bleeding patients.