Pets can donate blood, too
Injured, sick cats and dogs helped
Injured or sick cats and dogs in the Chicago area often need donor blood for emergency transfusions. That’s why the Chicago Veterinary Emergency Services is looking for pets to donate blood for its special Blood Donor Bank.
“Blood donors are critical for pets in need of a transfusion and having access to a supply of blood can greatly improve a pet’s chance of recovery,” said Dr. Gene Mueller, administrator at CVES, 3123 N. Clybourn. “We have ‘superstar’ blood donor dogs [and cats] literally saving lives.”
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Dogs donating blood
Cat and dog owners are encouraged to bring their pets to the facility to be screened and donate blood. The CVES has a transfusion center and many animals in need are sent to CVES from other facilities. The blood also is available to CVES’ member hospitals in the Chicago area.
Meanwhile, conscientious owners who have had sick or injured pets know how important it is to have ready access to the hours and location of an emergency veterinary facility.
That’s why it’s important to note that the CVES has changed its hours and is now open round-the-clock daily. The new hours means that Chicago now has two facilities that offer 24-hour daily pet emergency care. The other is the recently opened Animal Emergency & Treatment Center at 3927 W. Belmont.
Also new: CVES no longer requires that a pet who is treated at the facility in an emergency be moved to the pet’s regular veterinarian after treatment. The injured pet can stay at the facility. However, the CVES charges emergency rates and patrons may find it’s more affordable to move the pet to their regular vet for extended non-emergency treatment and recovery.
The CVES has plans under way to open a new round-the-clock facility in 2010.
For info on CVES, call (773) 281-7110; www.chicagoveterinaryemergency.com. For info on the AETC, call (773) 516-5800; www.aetcenter.com.