Insights into the Canine Blood Donor Experience: A Multicenter Study on Physiological and Behavioral Changes

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Welfare Science
• Comparative Physiology

Background:

• Limited research exists on the welfare and physiological responses of canine blood donors compared to human donors.
• Understanding donor dog responses is crucial for optimizing donation protocols and ensuring animal well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the physiological and behavioral responses of canine blood donors.
• To assess the impact of blood donation on key clinical parameters and serum cortisol levels.
• To identify factors influencing donor stress and well-being.

Main Methods:

• A multicentric prospective study involving 89 canine blood donors.
• Measurement of heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, rectal temperature, and serum cortisol before and after blood donation.
• Owner-reported behavioral assessments to gauge stress and normalcy.

Main Results:

• No significant changes in serum cortisol levels or most clinical parameters were observed post-donation.
• Rectal temperature showed a significant increase after blood donation, likely due to physical restraint.
• Owner-reported arousal during the pre-donation phase indicated anticipation as a stressor, but over 80% of dogs behaved normally post-donation.

Conclusions:

• Canine whole blood donation is generally well-tolerated with minimal systemic physiological stress.
• The anticipatory phase and physical restraint warrant attention to enhance donor welfare.
• Optimized management strategies, including temperature monitoring and individualized restraint, can further improve the blood donation experience for dogs.