As with humans, dogs sometimes require blood transfusions. We have a National Pet Blood Bank which can provide us with lots of different blood products but sometimes a transfusion directly from a donor is most appropriate for our patients. Donor lists are dogs that meet certain criteria that we know we can call on if we require an emergency transfusion.  They can provide us with products that the Pet Blood Bank cannot –such as platelets that are essential to help the blood clot.  The added benefit to our patients of having donor blood is that it is available immediately, without having to wait for it to be delivered from the blood bank. from the blood bank.

Donor dogs need to have a relaxed, friendly temperament and be happy to sit still for a period of time.   We only ask dogs who are over 25kg in weight and between one and eight years old.  Donor dogs must never have travelled and must not be on any medication.  We also require them to be vaccinated up to date.  We perform a thorough clinical exam and run a full blood screen on all dogs prior to them donating to ensure that they are in good health. 

We clip fur from the neck and place a needle into the jugular vein to collect the blood. Most dogs happily lie comfortably on their side whilst this is being done. We collect blood into a bag that is lined with a special substance to stop it clotting.  The whole procedure only takes about ten minutes and afterwards the dogs receive the equivalent of our tea and biscuits – a bowl of water and some food!  As well as a big fuss too!

Dog blood donors really do save lives and we are incredibly grateful to our donors and their owners.  

 By the very nature of blood donation we often need to call on our donors at short notice.  We understand you may not always be available to bring them down but if you would be happy to be placed on our donation list we would be very appreciative.

If you think your dog might be a suitable donor, would like to discuss it further or would like to be placed on our list then please email Helen at the surgery on helen@hollybankvets.co.uk.

On 2^nd March Hollybank turns ten years old!  A great deal has changed since we first opened the doors back in 2009.  As an independent practice we started from scratch and on that very first day we did not know if we would have any clients when opened the doors!  But we did! And many of the patients and clients we saw that very first week are still visiting us now.

We saw a few appointments that very first day and a few more the day after that.  From there, through word of mouth and trying our best to provide an excellent service for all, the practice has grown from strength to strength.

When we first opened our doors we had just four members of staff – and by the end of 2009 we were down to three.  This did mean long hours but we were determined the practice would be a success and by April 2010 we employed our first receptionists.  Now we have a reception/administration team of four, eight registered veterinary nurses and six vets!

We achieved our hospital status just seven months after we opened in October 2009 and have since been re-accredited twice, to ensure that meet the highest of standards the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons sets for first opinion practice.  We are also now a nurse training practice and our four nurse clinical coaches teach and train two student vet nurse students each year.

Since the very beginning we have done our own emergency and out of hours work and we are committed to making sure that is always the case.   We have now expanded our out of hours service to clients from some neighbouring practices too.

Not long after we opened we got our guinea pigs, Stacey and Nessa.  They toured around many schools, open days and cub packs and were loved by us all. Sadly they have both passed away now and we have two beautiful rose bushes to remember them by.  Our two new girls, Marmalade and Marmite, have carried on the tradition and can often be found in their fancy run enjoying the grass.

It has been our pleasure to look after our patients and their owners for the last ten years.  Richard and I could sit for hours reminiscing about the characters we have met along the way – the sad times, the happy times, the ‘I can’t believe he ate that’ times  and all those people and pets who have become part of our lives, some for just a short time and some for many years.  As the very first puppies and kittens we met as Hollybank vets now turn ten themselves, we realise we have cared for some pets for their whole lives.  To us, that is a privilege, the reason why we do this job and why Hollybank is Hollybank.   Here’s to the next ten years!