Page 4 - Paws and Hooves - Spring 2024

51³Ô¹ÏÍø

 

 

 

 

 

Page 4 - Paws and Hooves - Spring 2024
P. 4

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.

       4
   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9