Sharwood donated blood 40 times for the charity Pet Blood UK - he is the first dog to ever reach that many sessions in the UK and he happens to be a Gordon Setter.

Based in Scotland it is a registered charity run by a dedicated team, it is called the Pet Blood Bank.

To be a donor your dog needs to be fit and healthy, between 1 and 8 years old, weigh more than 25kgs, have a good temperament and not be on any medication. If your dog has traveled abroad, it cannot be a blood donor.

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Your dog will first be seen by a vet who will do a complete health check and ask numerous questions about your dog's health and general well-being. A blood test will be done to ensure all is well and to confirm which group your dog's blood belongs to.  There are two blood types, positive and negative.

With lots of treats and fuss from the donation nurses you and your dog will be taken into the donation room.  They will be lifted onto a padded table and helped to relax with reassurance from both the nurses and the owner. The nurses will wait until your dog is relaxed and happy before they will proceed.  Many dogs will just shut their eyes and snooze; with the actual donation time taking anything from 4 to 7 minutes. It is never taken too fast as this can cause the animal to drop blood pressure. After a whole unit is achieved (around 450 ml) the needle is removed from the vein and a wide vet wrap is applied over a pad. Blood pressure is monitored throughout and the pulse rate checked after donation. The dog is then gently lifted off the table and more treats are freely given. The time spent in the donation room is about 10 to 15 minutes depending how well everything goes. Rest, refreshments and a goody bag (equivalent to tea and biscuits) are next and a photo is taken of your dog with a Pet Blood Bank bandana. Your dog can then choose a toy to take home and the owner is given an information leaflet telling you what to look out for post donation. Fresh water should be easily available post donation and no exercise is allowed so a good run is advisable before the session to ensure they are relaxed.

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You can also become a Pet Blood Bank volunteer;  this involves booking dogs in, checking they are up to date with vaccinations, weighing them, making a fuss of them, and on occasions being in the donation room to assist with whatever needs doing. The Pet Blood Bank is the only charity that provided a canine blood bank service for all veterinary practitioners across the UK. Each unit of blood can save up to 4 dogs lives. Each time you attend a session your dog gets a full health check and an annual blood profile which can pick up any important changes in their health. It really is very satisfying to know that you are saving the lives of other dogs both big and small. As an added bonus your dogs are monitored for their health every time they donate.

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Other Gordon Setters who have made wonderful contribution include:

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