he St. Louis Animal Blood Bank

Just as people need blood for a variety of health reasons, surgeries, and emergencies, dogs need blood donors, too. The St. Louis Animal Blood Bank, located at AVS and the South Animal Emergency Clinic, are the only two locations in the St. Louis area that draw canine blood.

Your dog may need a blood transfusion. Blood transfusions can save the lives of many dogs. As the number of procedures on pets increases, and veterinary medicine and surgery becomes more complex, the demand for canine blood will escalate.

The St. Louis Animal Blood Bank provides a blood supply network for veterinarians to help dogs in need of vital blood. People do not think of a blood bank for dogs until their pet actually needs blood. The St. Louis Animal Blood Bank does not currently store feline blood, nor do we accept donors; feline blood is donated by cats that live at AVS.

Donor Qualifications: To be a donor, your dog must be:
- Normal weight over 50 pounds
- 1+ years old
- Even temperament
- Current on all vaccines
- In good health
- Never pregnant
- Spayed if female
- Never had a blood transfusion
- Heartworm free and on a preventative

The St. Louis Animal Blood Bank appreciates your interest. If your dog donates blood, you will receive lab services free of charge as long as your dog is in the program and a discount at the local emergency clinics and Associated Veterinary Specialists if the need arises. Please remember that if your dog ever needs blood, it will be available because of canine donors.

To volunteer a donor, please call: (north) Dena Williams, R.V.T. 12462G Natural Bridge Rd, Bridgeton, MO. 63044 314-739-1510

(south) Cathy Ellebracht or Marianne Schultz 9937 Big Bend Rd. St. Louis, MO. 63122 314-822-7600

bout Bailey and Xylitol


Bailey is a 7 year old Dachshund. Bailey is also a bit of a rebel who thinks rules do not apply to him. He loves to eat and does not read package labels and refuses to keep up with healthcare information that might apply to him.

Before he came to AVS, he raided his owner's stash of M&M's. This made him terribly sick, but he quickly recovered. A few days later he felt so good he broke into his Grandma's purse, chewed through the zipper and consumed 4-5 pieces of Carefree Koolerz gum. After vomiting, not wanting to eat and being very lethargic and jaundiced he was referred to AVS. Dr. Hause informed the owners that Xylitol, the popular anti-cavity sweetener used in candy and chewing gum, could be toxic to pets. He was hospitalized for about one week, during this time everyone came to know and love our sad eyed Bailey.

With the help of IV fluid therapy, many injectables, oral medications, and much TLC Bailey slowly recovered.

According to ASPC Animal Poison Control very few dogs recover from Xylitol ingestion. We consider Bailey very fortunate. He is currently back to his old self and doing great. Xylitol is found in some varieties of gum, candy, pharmaceuticals, oral health products (including some toothpaste), chewable vitamins and throat lozenges. Symptoms of ingestion may include a sudden drop in blood sugar, loss of coordination, lethargy and depression. Xylitol can cause permanent liver damage so we cannot over emphasize the importance of reading labels and keeping certain human foods and goods away from your precious companion.

letter from a patient's owner...


Hello.

I think I sent a note awhile back but wanted to ensure Dr. Hause knew about our cancer survival story. Fergie, our red/white parti-colored Cocker, was diagnosed with lymphoma in October 1997. She was approximately 10 years old. At the time, Dr. Harrington advised that we had discovered the cancer more quickly than any of his other clients. Lucky for us!

We began treatment immediately and continued treatments at the south AVS location until September 1998, when we moved from St. Louis to Eureka Springs, AR. Our local vet continued Fergie's chemo protocol every two weeks until October of 1999. At that point, under the advisement of Dr. Hause, we extended the treatment time to monthly. We suspended treatments altogether in July 2000 -- almost three years after her first treatment!

Fergie was one of the few, extremely fortunate cancer survivors. She endured almost three years of chemo and lived another two years after that, until her passing in September 2002. Fergie was 14+ when she died (of ITP), and there was no sign that her cancer ever returned. We feel so fortunate to have caught her illness so quickly and to be in such capable hands during her treatment. She was one very special girl, and we know that surviving cancer was just a great feat for her.

Thanks for taking care of our girl and helping us to enjoy many more years with her. A photo is attached. Feel free to share this story with others or include it on your site.

Sincerely,
Karen Rodgers
Fayetteville, AR

nother letter from a patient's owner...


Thanks so much for loving and caring. He (Gus) was a very special dog and we miss him greatly. We tried to keep him with us as long as we could. Vince remarked that he never thought he could be attached to a dog like he was Gus. If you would have asked Gus he would have said "not yet" but we just didn't want him to suffer anymore. He was growing tumors in his neck and leg and was having great difficulty pooping and breathing. The phone call was much appreciated. We were on our way to PIT for Vince's 50th HS Reunion. We had Gus scheduled for Kennelwood but he took sick early am.

Please convey my special thanks to Dr House.

Marjorie Stanec