Take our eligibility survey
We currently do not require any new Hospital Heroes for 2025. If you would like to enquire about our program in the future, please reach out to us at uqvets.sa@uq.edu.au
What makes a dog eligible?
Blood type, age and temperament
Blood type
We blood-type all potential donors.
As with humans, dogs have different blood types and can experience adverse reactions if they’re transfused with an incompatible blood type.
Age
Dogs must be aged between one and six years to be eligible. Dogs are generally retired from the program when they turn eight.
During the first year of a dog’s life, its body systems and organs develop to be fully functional and healthy.
Each dog is different, and they must reach this level of physical maturity before they donate blood. Not all dogs are “ready” to donate by the time they are one, so we will help you decide if the time is right.
Temperament
Potential donors must be happy and healthy.
We will assess your dog for anxious or fearful behaviours, as they will need to lie still for a few minutes during the donation. We won’t force a dog to do something that makes them uncomfortable.
Weight and body conformation
Weight
To safely donate blood, donors must be in good body condition and not underweight or obese.
They must weigh between 25 kilograms and 70 kilograms.
Body conformation
Common anatomical features of certain breeds make blood collection difficult and/or not in a dog’s best health interest.
English Bulldogs and some other breeds are excluded from our donor program. We will advise you if your dog is unsuitable for this program.
Health
Vaccination and preventative healthcare
Donors must have a current vaccination status for distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus. You must wait four weeks after vaccination before your dog can safely donate.
Most infectious diseases in dogs are transmitted by fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Some infectious agents can be transmitted to patients through blood transfusion.
For the safety of donors and recipients, your dog’s heartworm preventatives must be up to date. We strongly encourage flea and tick prevention.
Medications and general health
Your dog is ineligible to donate if it is currently taking any medication (such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs or antihistamines). You must wait 14 days after a course of medication finishes before your dog can donate.
Dogs are ineligible to donate if they have ever been diagnosed with:
- heart murmur or other cardiac conditions
- seizures or seizure-like activity
- heartworm disease
- chronic illness
- a disease/condition that required a blood transfusion.
Non-desexed female dogs are not eligible to donate blood if they are in oestrus (heat).
If your dog has recently been unwell (coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhoea etc), contact us to discuss their eligibility.