Blood Donor Program

Healthy dogs and cats can help animals in need by becoming blood donors at the Animal Emergency Clinic of Mid-Maine (AECM). Whole blood is often needed for critically ill and injured animals suffering from serious trauma due to motor vehicle accidents, as well as for major surgeries and anemia. For more information, contact AECM at (207) 777-1110 or email us.

How It Is Done

Some dogs and all cats are lightly sedated for the donation procedure, and a small area around the pet's neck is shaved and cleaned.
Roughly 16 ounces of blood is drawn from dogs. For cats, less than 2 ounces is drawn.
Your pet will be monitored by AECM staff and should remain quiet for the rest of the day.

Guidelines for Donor Dogs

Must weigh 50 pounds or more.
Age: 1-8 years (1 to 5 for giant breeds).
Must be friendly and have no major medical problems.
Must be current on vaccinations (must show proof).
Must be on heartworm preventative medication.
Must never have tested positive for Lyme disease.
Must never have received a blood transfusion and no history of pregnancy.
We typically use universal donors, but do keep a list of positive donors if needed.

Guidelines for Donor Cats

Minimum weight: 9 pounds.
Age: 1-8 years old.
Friendly and no major medical problems.
Current on all vaccines (must show proof).
Not currently on medications.
Must never have had a blood transfusion and no history of pregnancy.

Your cat may NOT be a donor if any cat in the household goes outside, you are an active feline foster parent, or your cat has received the new FIV vaccine.

Incentives to Donate

Benefits over the course of one year:

Your pet will be blood typed and receive a complete physical exam and blood screening.
Dogs will be tested for heartworm, Ehrlichea, Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis.
Cats will be tested for FeLV, FIV and Hemobartonella.
All animals may receive rabies and distemper vaccines for one year.

Contact us at (207) 777-1110 or email us at AnimalEmergencyMM@yourvetdoc.com for more information.