A Dog Died Due To Lack Of Blood Donors In Kolkata

A pet dog named Ghontu died due to lack of blood donors in Kolkata. Ghontu was suffering from a terrible gastric problem that led to blood loss.

“When the vet told me Ghontu needed blood transfusion, I called about 20 dog-owners, pleading with them to donate their dog’s blood to save Ghontu’s life.” recalls Bidisha Basu, choking with emotion.   

However, she found a donor but she was overwhelmed by the rejections. His illness made his family realise that people have a lack of awareness about dog blood donation because no pet parent is ready to donate their pet’s blood.  They felt it would be dangerous for them.

Kumar Krishna Basu Roy, a partner at Corona pet shop described how she came to them desperate for help,

“Her dog needed transfusion and she had coaxed a friend into letting her dog donate too. But so poor is the infrastructure in our city that the transfusion was held up for want of a sterilised pouch to collect the blood!”

Bank ready, blood awaited

The West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences in Belgachia has already obtained the infrastructure to set up a blood bank but they have nothing to set up if owners don’t bring their dogs to donate any.

“We are forced to ask pet parents to find donors on their own. Sometimes if a family has more than one dog, one can donate to another. But these are spontaneous donations. Ideally, a blood bank should have readily available blood round the year,” says vice- chancellor of the university Purnendu Biswas.

Dog blood donation awareness program

We need to raise awareness among owners so they volunteer their pets. They need to understand that blood donation is absolutely safe for dogs and can save lives in severe cases of hemoprotozoa, parvo etc. The donor’s body produces the lost blood again and the dog remains healthy.

Reference: The Telegraph

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!