History
The Wyatt Goldthwaite Veterinary Blood Bank began in 2007 thanks to a generous donation made by the Goldthwaite family in memory of their beloved dog, Wyatt. While being treated by the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital Oncology Department, Wyatt received several blood transfusions. It was the family's hope that a dedicated blood bank would enable the staff to continue providing advanced care to critically ill patients and ensure that veterinary blood products would be readily available to all patients being treated by the local veterinary community.

Mission
To provide a reliable humane source of veterinary blood products for canines and felines.
To provide education to hospital staff and clients about blood product donation and usage.
To ensure that blood products are used properly to best benefit the patients of the RBVH Healthcare Network.

Transfusion Medicine
When a pet is seriously ill, a transfusion of appropriate blood components can make a dramatic difference. Blood products are necessary for supplying oxygen and fluids to the body's organs. Transfusions help treat a variety of anemias such as blood loss (hemorrhage) that result from trauma as well as blood clotting disorders including hemophilia, von Willebrand's disease and accidental poisoning with rodenticides.

Our blood bank carries products for both dogs and cats.

Canine Blood Products:
Packed red blood cells
Fresh frozen plasma
Cryoprecipitate
Platelet rich plasma

Feline Blood Products:
The collection process is usually completed in less then 30 minutes. Donations are typically performed without sedation, although most cats require a mild sedative. All donors are closely monitored afterwards to ensure their safety.

Only a small percentage of a pet's blood is actually donated during the collection process and the body begins to replace that amount immediately afterwards. All blood collection supplies are sterile for the protection of both donors and recipients.

Donations may be safely made one time per month although our program only requires a minimum of four donations a year.

Contact Us
To find out whether your pet is eligible, please contact:
Karen Norton, Blood Bank Coordinator
(732) 747-3383
bloodbank@rbvh.net

The Wyatt Goldthwaite Veterinary Blood Bank is located in the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital Physical Rehabilitation Center at 210 Newman Spring Road, Red Bank, NJ 07701.

Hours are Wednesday—Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Blood donations and potential donor screenings are done by appointment only.

Standards
The Wyatt Goldthwaite Veterinary Blood Bank is a state-of-the-art facility located at the RBVH Physical Rehabilitation Center.

The blood bank protocol follows national blood banking guidelines. Our donor selection and screening protocols as well as our collection, handling and storage of all blood products follow recognized ACVIM blood banking guidelines.

The blood bank staff is committed to making the donation process a positive experience for both the pet owner and the donor. This includes using sedation only when absolutely necessary and only with the owner's permission.

Quotes
"Mabel and Mongo have been donors since the program began. I am very proud that my dogs are a part of something so important and that they contribute to the care that RBVH provides to its patients." – Dr. Mary Beth Morgan