Photos courtesy of BluePearl Pet Hospital

The demand for donated blood continues to grow, and veterinary professionals are working to meet the needs of patients.

 National Blood Donor Month, which is annually recognized in January, is an opportunity for veterinary professionals to elevate awareness and educate clients about blood banks, the donation process, and how patients and pets can help.

BluePearl Pet Hospital, a division of Mars Veterinary Health, estimates that the amount of donations needed will increase in 2025 to meet the growing demand for specialty and emergency care. It aims to have 50% of its needed blood products sourced from its network of hospitals by the end of 2026.

Despite the need, pet blood donation is not well understood by the general public, nor are many owners aware that it’s an option. According to a study conducted in the UK, 70% of the 158 pet owners surveyed were not aware their animals could donate blood, but 89% of respondents indicated they would be willing to volunteer if their pet was an eligible donor.

"We rely on pet blood donations to be able to provide lifesaving and lifegiving care in our hospitals when pets need us most," Richard Stone, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), chief medical officer at BluePearl, said in a news release.

 "I encourage all pet owners to learn more about our blood banking program and sign up to help other pets in need."

According to BluePearl Pet Hospital, a single pet blood donation has the potential to save the lives of up to 3 other animals. The company operates a voluntary, community-based blood banking program in 15 locations throughout the US. It recently issued a call to action for US pet owners to help alleviate the shortage of veterinary blood by signing up their canines and felines up to become blood donors.

Pet blood donation is most common with dogs and cats. These donations are used for transfusion to patients, as needed, in cases that can include surgery, traumatic injury, anemia, and exposure to certain toxins.

 Rabbits, ferrets and other exotic species are less common but can also benefit from blood donation and transfusion, according to experts Meghan Respess, DVM, DACVECC, director of blood banking at BluePearl Pet Hospital; and Karen Roach, RVT, VTS (ECC), a team trainer at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital (MLAH) in New Jersey.

At MLAH—a large, independent practice—the internal blood bank relies on donations from volunteer canine patients and staff-owned felines. “We usually have a fair amount of dog blood on hand. Cat blood is a little bit harder to get, and we do order it from blood banks, which can take a while to get. We do sometimes have to buy it from another hospital,” Roach said in a 

The MLAH team regularly banks whole blood, packed red blood cells, and fresh frozen plasma. “We have the facilities here to also spin down the blood and separate it. The packed cells can be refrigerated for a little over a month, and then the plasma is frozen, and that's good for up to 5 years,” Roach said.

Eligibility for blood donation can vary by blood bank. BluePearl requires blood donors to be aged between 1 and 8 years, while patients at MLAH are eligible between 2 and 8 years. A patient’s overall health, weight, blood type, vaccination history, and temperament are other factors for which eligibility is determined.

 Roach and Respess both emphasized that the donors must have a willing temperament and the ability to remain calm throughout the process of collecting blood. 

When a patient donates blood with BluePearl, the inventory is tracked with a bar coded system, according to Respess. Not only does the system help staff keep track of expiration dates as well as a patient’s medical record, but it also allows for continued engagement with pet owners. “No matter if it's used in Tampa, for example, where they gave the donation, or in Seattle, when that is scanned and dispensed to a patient, an owner gets a notification to say that the contribution of [their] pet went to save a critical patient,” Respess said in a 

Hospitals can also offer rewards to further incentivize pet owners to consider blood donation. For example, BluePearl offers a free physical exam before each donation as well as annual lab work,

 and MLAH provides first-time donors with a bandana and an Amazon gift card.

Veterinary professionals interested in learning more about blood donation and banking can attend a demonstration hosted by BluePearl at the North American Veterinary Community’s Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX) hosted by the North American Veterinary Community in Orlando, Florida, January 25-29, 2025. Open to VMX attendees, the event aims to highlight the ease of the process and will feature a live canine donor giving blood.

“It's only through outlets like this and demonstrations like that, that we continue to bring the awareness [to blood donation],” Respess added.

This National Blood Donor Month your pet could be a hero. News release. BluePearl Management LLC. January 7, 2024. Accessed January 21, 2024. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/this-national-blood-donor-month-your-pet-could-be-a-hero-302343193.html?tc=eml_cleartime

Wilder A, Humm K. Pet owners’ awareness of animal blood banks and their motivations towards animal blood donation. 

. 2019;185(16):509. doi:10.1136/vr.105139.

Mount Laurel Animal Blood Bank. Mount Laurel Animal Hospital. Accessed January 23, 2025. 

Roach K, Crossley KC. Collecting patient blood donations. 

. January 17, 2025. Accessed January 23, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/collecting-patient-blood-donations

Articles

National Blood Donor Month is recognized annually in January

Pet blood donation is needed to save patient lives

Animal food ingredient submissions for the “Official Publication”—a yearly publication of the most widely recognized and comprehensive list of approved feed ingredients globally by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)—will be evaluated by the Kansas State University (KSU) Olathe Innovation Campus (K-State Olathe) as part of an approved proposal from K-State Olathe. In a recent news release, AAFCO announced that its membership voted ‘yes’ to a K-State Olathe proposal to provide a scientific review for a new animal food ingredient submission pathway.

The new process replaces AAFCO’s previous “Ingredient Definition Request” procedure, which identified the safety, utility, and identity of ingredients used in animal food with scientific and technical help from the FDA. According to AAFCO, the former process ended with the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between AAFCO and the FDA last year.

Speaking of the new pathway, Austin Therrell, executive director of AAFCO said in a news release, "We understand the animal feed industry has much to consider when introducing a new proposed ingredient. We're committed to a collaborative process that is safe, scientific and streamlined to meet the industry's demand for new ingredients while upholding AAFCO's unwavering standards for animal and human health."

“AAFCO's partnership with K-State Olathe begins a new era of innovation and proficiency for the animal feed industry," he continued.

 "This new pathway will offer a regulatory review process that is straightforward and comprehensive to bring ingredients to market safely and more efficiently than our previous process with FDA.”

The new ingredient approval pathway will be directed by Haley Larson, PhD, assistant professor at KSU, and will include a scientific review panel of experts from US universities and independent consultants, providing a broad representation of all animal species, according to AAFCO.

 The panel will assess ingredient submissions from the industry and make recommendations to AAFCO members for final approval. Once approved, ingredients will be added to AAFCO's “Official Publication.” According to AAFCO, the document is recognized by state and international regulators as well as the animal food industry.

AAFCO plays a key role in developing uniform standards and regulations that are adopted by most US states to ensure the safety and quality of animal food products. The organization also develops model laws and regulations that serve as the foundation for animal feed programs across the country.

Members of AAFCO include government officials from US states, federal agencies, and other countries. These officials are responsible for executing laws and regulations related to the production, labeling, distribution, use, and sale of animal food and its ingredients, including pet food and livestock feed, according to the FDA.

We're honored to partner with AAFCO and apply our scientific and technical expertise to ensuring the safety and quality of animal food ingredients," Ben Wolfe, dean and CEO of K-State Olathe, said in a release.

 "We look forward to working closely with AAFCO to implement this transformative approach and foster a regulatory environment that benefits producers, consumers and the broader community."

K-State Olathe specializes in professional education, research, and outreach in food safety, animal health, and bioscience. According to the university, K-State Olathe’s campus functions as a center for applied research, professional education, and industry collaboration.

According to AAFCO, the new pathway will support the FDA’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Notice program, which lets people and companies notify the agency if a substance is safe to use as intended. The pathway is also intended to “provide the feed industry with another option to bring new and innovative products to the market,” per AAFCO.

 Additionally, procedures have been outlined to prevent ingredients from being submitted through multiple avenues.

AAFCO membership votes yes on new regulatory pathway for animal food ingredients. News release. Association of American Feed Control Officials. January 22, 2025. Accessed January 22, 2025.

FDA Enforcement Policy for AAFCO-Defined Animal Feed Ingredients. US Food and Drug Administration. Accessed January 22, 2025. 

https://www.fda.gov/media/180441/download#:~:text=in%20its%20Official%20Publication%20(OP),-AAFCO%20is%20an&text=AAFCO%20provides%20a%20mechanism%20for,and%20sale%20of%20animal%20food

K-State Olathe. Kansas State University. Accessed January 23, 2025. 

https://www.k-state.edu/engagement/economic-impact/olathe.html

AAFCO is partnering with Kansas State University for the new regulatory review process

New animal food ingredient review process is approved by AAFCO

Dr. Shadi Ireifej talks with Vanessa Vidal about PRN Pharmacal's contributions to veterinary medicine, focusing on their innovative products like Proin® ER for urinary incontinence, VPL® sutures for improved surgical outcomes, and Reconcile® for managing canine separation anxiety. Vidal details the company's approach to addressing common challenges in veterinary practice with effective, accessible, and specialized solutions.

A Closer Look at VPL Sutures for Modern Surgical Care

 Hello, everybody. I’m Dr. Shadi Ireifej, a board-certified veterinary surgeon based in Las Vegas, NV. Today, I’m joined by Vanessa Vidal from PRN Pharmacal. We’ll be discussing how PRN has positively impacted the field of veterinary surgery. Vanessa, could you start by telling us more about PRN Pharmacal and your role with the company?

Absolutely. PRN Pharmacal has been serving the veterinary industry since 1978. Our flagship product is Proin®, a medication for urinary incontinence. Many veterinarians know Proin®, but we also offer a wide variety of products beyond that. For example, we’ve introduced an extended-release version of Proin®, which is relatively new. Additionally, we provide surgical sutures, which are exceptional, and the Reconcile® line for behavioral health. PRN stands for Pro Re Nata, which means “as needed” in Latin, and we pride ourselves on being available to meet the needs of veterinarians whenever necessary.

That’s fantastic. Proin® is widely recognized and utilized by many of us. I’m curious to learn more about how PRN contributes to the surgical field specifically.

 Of course. Our catalog includes a range of high-quality sutures for various surgical applications—long-term, mid-term, and short-term use. We offer both absorbable and non-absorbable sutures. Our goal is to provide top-tier products that are also cost-effective. One of the features we’re particularly proud of is the performance of our VPL® sutures. They’re designed to minimize drag, which reduces inflammation and supports faster healing. Additionally, our needles are durable with just the right amount of flex, ensuring they won’t bend or break during procedures.

As surgeons, we’re all too familiar with the challenges of suture drag and needle flexibility. It’s great to hear that PRN has addressed these issues. Now, let’s talk about Proin®. What updates can you share about this medication?

We’re thrilled to introduce Proin® ER, an extended-release, chewable flavored tablet. This innovation allows for once-daily dosing instead of the traditional twice-daily regimen. Beyond the convenience, the extended-release formula provides steady medication levels in the bloodstream over a 24-hour period, which can improve efficacy and compliance. To top it off, Proin® ER is more affordable than the original formula.

That’s a game-changer for pet owners and veterinarians alike! What other products are you excited to showcase?

Another standout product is Duralactin®, a supplement derived from dried milk protein (Microlactin®) that helps manage chronic inflammation. It begins working within four days and reaches full efficacy in about 30 days. Veterinarians use the canine version for joint health and the feline version for conditions like stomatitis, which has limited treatment options. We’re also excited about Reconcile®, the only FDA-approved medication for canine separation anxiety. Behaviorists often recommend it for dogs not responding well to generic fluoxetine, as Reconcile®’s formulation works differently in the body.

With the holidays approaching, many pet owners face challenges like travel, fireworks, and large gatherings. Reconcile® sounds like a helpful solution.

Definitely. Reconcile® can calm pets and make them more receptive to behavior modification training. It’s an excellent option for managing long-term stress and anxiety.

Thank you for sharing these insights. Where can veterinarians and pet owners learn more about PRN Pharmacal and its products?

You can visit our website at www.PRNPharmacal.com for detailed information about all our products.


Videos

On this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and guests Megan Bauer, DVM, Fear Free Certified Elite, and Jessica Osborne, CVPM, Fear Free Certified Elite, discuss how the Fear Free concepts can be implemented into practices to make them a more calming and welcoming place for pets. 

Throughout the episode, the trio will address the importance of caring for both mental and physical wellbeing of patients, how practices can implement small changes to get big results, plus the positive impact of Fear Free practices on a clinic's relationship with its clients and patients. 

To those that may not know about it, what can you explain a little bit about what...fear free actually means? What's that mean?

Basically, looking after the mental well-being of your patients, and that was probably the hardest, well was the hardest discussion with clients. We can't trim your dog's nails today, but you did it last month. Yes, but you may not want to know what that looked like last month. And now this month, we're starting on our journey of Fear Free, and we're not going to hold them down. We're not going to use 3 assistants to do it. We need to give him some pre-visit medications and have him come back.

Yeah, like Jessica said, it's not thinking of physical and mental health as 2 separate things. Its all 1 being, you know, the more you learn about stress, the more you learn how it affects every system of the body and what we do for "just a second." "Oh, we're just going to hold him down 4 minutes and trim his nails" will last a minimum of 3 days in the body, potentially much, much longer, if you get into actual trauma. But it is not 2 separate things. Like, "well, that's just his mental health"... Nope, that's really important as well, just, it's just one animal, it's all together. 

Yeah, I love that you share. Yeah, "really quick, really quick" is what I hear too, like "it'll be really quick," you know, just to trim the nails or just to pop the vaccine or whatever. 

Podcasts

Learn more about Fear Free and the impact it has on veterinary clinics in this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360

Fear free in practice

Trimeprazine with Prednisolone Tablets, the generic equivalent of Temaril-P (Zoetis), will be displayed at this year’s 

 New Product Showcase exhibit by manufacturer Zyvet Animal Health. The product is the first generic trimeprazine with prednisolone tablets for dogs.

The generic drug is recommended for itch relief in dogs. This antihistamine and corticosteroid is also indicated for adjunctive treatment for various canine cough conditions such as tracheobronchitis, also known as ‘kennel cough’; bronchitis, including all allergic bronchitis; and infections and coughs of unknown cause.

 It can also lower inflammation related to most skin disorders of dogs, such as eczema caused by internal disorders, otitis, and dermatitis. It is often effective in relieving pruritic that does not respond to other treatments.

Zyvet's drug received FDA approval on June 20, 2024 as an antipruritic and antitussive therapy for dogs. It is only available by prescription in bottles of 100 or 1000 tablets. Each tablet contains 5 mg of trimeprazine as trimeprazine tartrate and 2 mg of prednisolone. The starting dose is based on the patient’s weight

For dogs up to 10 lb: ½ tablet twice daily

For dogs weighing 11-20 lb: 1 tablet twice daily

For dogs weighing 21-40 lb: 2 tablets twice daily

For dogs over 40 lb: 3 tablets twice daily

After 4 days of treatment, the dosage is decreased to half of the starting dose or adjusted to the minimum amount needed to maintain remission of symptoms, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“Less than 20% of the animal health market offers a generic to pioneer products. ZyVet leverages its parent company’s 70-year legacy in pharmaceutical excellence to challenge the status quo,” wrote ZyVet in a company release.

 “By delivering affordable, high-quality generics, ZyVet empowers veterinarians to provide exceptional care, enhancing the human-animal bond at affordable pricing.”

“We're here to disrupt and change the conversation about generics and reinforce that quality and innovation can go hand-in-hand,” Lauren Landolph, head of commerical for ZyVet, said in the release.

"The launch of Trimeprazine with Prednisolone Tablets, along with the full portfolio lineup, exemplifies our commitment to deliver effective and affordable solutions that meet the needs of today’s veterinary clinics.”

Trimeprazine with Prednisolone should not be used in animals with Cushing syndrome. Veterinary professionals should exercise caution when using in pregnant animals owing to risks of premature parturition or congenital anomalies. Adverse effects associated with corticosteroid use include delayed wound healing, vomiting, and bacterial infections.

Veterinarians can learn about more about ZyVet’s product lineup at VMX. The event will take place January 25-29 in Orlando, Florida.

ZyVet Animal Health brings affordable innovations to the veterinary profession. News release. ZyVet Animal Health. January 21, 2025. 

FDA roundup: June 21, 2024. News release. US Food & Drug Administration. June 21, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2025. 

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-roundup-june-21-2024

Freedom of Information Summary. US Food & Drug Administration. June 20, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2025. 

https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/15546

FDA approves first generic drug for hyperthyroidism in cats. American Veterinary Medical Association. August 6, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2025. 

https://www.avma.org/news/fda-approves-first-generic-drug-hyperthyroidism-cats#:~:text=On%20June%2020%2C%20the%20FDA,drug%20product%2C%20Temaril%2DP

The antihistamine and corticosteroid Trimeprazine with Prednisolone Tablets received FDA approval last year

First generic drug for pruritus and cough conditions in dogs to be exhibited at VMX

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant health issue in canines, especially as they age. This condition involves long-term, progressive changes in kidney function or structure. CKD can lead to severe complications like anemia, uremic gastroenteritis, and renal secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Early detection is crucial for managing the disease and improving the quality of life for affected dogs. A key focus in advancing early diagnosis is the use of biomarkers, particularly the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UAC). This ratio has emerged as a valuable tool not only for diagnosing CKD in dogs but also for comparing disease progression between humans and canines.

The measurement UAC is a powerful diagnostic biomarker for CKD, particularly in its early stages. In both dogs and humans, an elevated UAC signals kidney damage. In dogs, veterinarians can use the UAC to differentiate between healthy dogs and those suffering from CKD. The importance of this test lies in its ability to detect CKD early, before other biomarkers like serum creatinine or clinical symptoms show noticeable changes. Research has demonstrated that dogs with CKD exhibit significantly higher UAC values than healthy dogs, making it an essential marker for veterinary diagnostics.

 evaluated UAC as a diagnostic tool for early CKD detection in dogs. It included 99 healthy dogs and 122 dogs with CKD, using the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) guidelines to classify disease stages. The results showed that UAC values were significantly higher in dogs with CKD, particularly in the early stages of the disease, when other markers like serum creatinine might not yet indicate kidney dysfunction. The UAC correlated well with other renal biomarkers such as the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC), serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and symmetric dimethylarginine,suggesting that UAC can be used alongside these biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy.

A critical finding was the introduction of a “grey zone” for UAC values. This zone, defined by a UAC range between 19.20 mg/g and the upper normal limit (64.20 mg/g), represents a diagnostic window where early kidney dysfunction may not be immediately obvious but is still detectable. This concept offers a more nuanced approach to diagnosing CKD, helping veterinarians identify at-risk dogs before they reach more advanced stages of the disease. In this way, grey zone expands the UAC’s diagnostic utility, enabling clinicians to intervene earlier in the disease process and potentially slow its progression.

The study also compared the UAC in dogs to similar biomarkers used in humans. In human medicine, the albumin-to-creatinine ratio is a key biomarker for diagnosing CKD, with microalbuminuria signaling early kidney damage. The UAC cut-off value in humans is typically set at 30 mg/g, which differs from the lower cut-off of 19.20 mg/g found in dogs. This difference highlights the species-specific variations in how kidney damage manifests but reinforces the UAC's role as a useful biomarker for CKD across species. Similar to humans, higher levels of albumin in dogs’ urine correlate with a higher risk of CKD progression. Therefore, monitoring UAC in both humans and dogs can help track the disease over time and guide management strategies.

Despite its promising potential, UAC does have some limitations. Analysis revealed that the UAC has a diagnostic accuracy with an area under the curve of 0.817, which, although promising, is not perfect. The sensitivity and specificity of the UAC at the 19.20 mg/g cut-off value were 72% and 71%, respectively. These results demonstrate that while the UAC is a valuable marker for CKD, it should not be relied upon exclusively. The use of multiple biomarkers in combination provides a more comprehensive and reliable diagnostic approach.

Thus, the UAC is a valuable biomarker for diagnosing early-stage CKD in dogs. It effectively distinguishes between healthy dogs and those with CKD at IRIS stage 1, making it essential in veterinary medicine. When combined with other renal biomarkers, UAC provides a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and managing CKD. As research advances, UAC will likely play an even greater role in early detection, treatment decisions, and improving the quality of life for dogs with CKD.

is a 2026 PharmD candidate at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, where she is studying veterinary pharmacy.

Lee SY, Cha YE, Kang HM, et al. Diagnostic validation of the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio for early renal disease in healthy dogs and dogs with chronic kidney disease. J Vet Sci. 2024;25(6):e77. doi:10.4142/jvs.24183

Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the disease and improve quality of life for affected patients. 