Page 4 - Paws and Hooves - Spring 2024

The lifeblood

of veterinary

science

Interview with Karen Humm

Leo being examined
by Karen

Karen is the Co-Head of the RVC’s Emergency What do you enjoy about your work?
and Critical Care Department and Director of the The RVC is an extraordinary place to work with specialist
Transfusion Medicine Service at the RVC. With over 20 teams working together to deliver the best possible outcome
years of experience in veterinary medicine, Karen tells for our patients. The Blood Donor team is integral to the
us about the RVC Blood Donor Programme and why it hospital. I know this because I’m often needing blood in my
is so important…
Emergency and Critical Care role and helping to provide
Why is the RVC Blood Donor Programme needed? blood in my Transfusion Medicine role. It’s incredibly fulfilling
to see first-hand the difference we can make together.
Just like people, sometimes poorly cats and dogs
require blood transfusions. As our hospital has What's next for the Blood Donor team?
expanded and we care for more patients, the demand So much is possible now, that wasn’t 20 years ago, and as
for dog and cat blood has increased. The RVC Blood more scientific breakthroughs come, the need for blood
Donor Programme was created in 2004 to ensure we will continue to evolve. We have exciting plans to expand
have enough blood products to treat every patient who the service with a new home – away from the hustle and
needs them.
bustle of the hospital. It will have separate dog and cat
It enables us to care for thousands of critically ill facilities, so that they can give blood at the same time.
animals every year and to treat complex cases. Plus, dedicated laboratory space for the team to make
From open-heart surgery and spinal surgery to blood products and carry out important research.
trauma and cancer patients – so many lives can
only be saved due to the blood transfusions, which
underpin extraordinary advancements in veterinary
medicine. Every day our blood donor family helps to
save lives in the hospital. It's incredible! Our special appeal will
Where do you get the blood from? raise money for new facilities to

We currently have 150 canine and 62 feline blood donors. support the future of transfusion
We’re so proud of them all. There are still so many people medicine and therefore the future
who don’t know that dogs and cats can give blood. Before
these pets become a blood donor, the team checks they of veterinary medicine too...
are healthy and assesses their temperament to make sure
they are happy and comfortable with the donation process.
The welfare of our donors is always our priority.

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