Dini Rebecca, Agnoli Chiara, Mariti Chiara, Gori Eleonora, Vasylyeva Kateryna, Tumbarello Michele, Marchetti Veronica
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Teaching Hospital "Mario Modenato", University of Pisa, Via Livornese Lato Monte, San Piero a Grado, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40062 Bologna, Italy.
Vet Sci. 2025 Sep 10;12(9):876. doi: 10.3390/vetsci12090876.
Blood donor welfare is extensively studied in humans, while limited data exist for blood donor dogs. This multicentric prospective study aimed to evaluate physiological and behavioral responses in 89 canine blood donors. Clinical parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, rectal temperature) and serum cortisol levels were measured before and after blood donation (BD), along with owner-reported behavioral assessments. Results showed no significant changes in cortisol concentrations pre-BD/post-BD or in most of the clinical parameters, except for rectal temperature that was significantly increased after BD [38.5 °C (38.2-39.4 °C) vs. 38.6 °C (37.6-41.7 °C), < 0.001] suggesting a transient response likely due to physical restraint. No significant differences were found between first-time and repeat donors. Owners reported higher signs of arousal during the pre-donation phase, indicating anticipation as key to the stress response. However, more than 80% of the owners reported that their dogs behaved normally after the procedure and throughout the BD day. These findings suggest that canine whole BD is generally well tolerated and unlikely associated with systemic physiological stress. However, increased attention to the anticipatory phase, along with careful temperature monitoring, individualized restraint techniques, and optimized environmental management, may further improve canine blood donor welfare.
人类献血者的福利已得到广泛研究，而关于献血犬的数据却很有限。这项多中心前瞻性研究旨在评估89只献血犬的生理和行为反应。在献血前后测量临床参数（心率、呼吸频率、血压、直肠温度）和血清皮质醇水平，并进行主人报告的行为评估。结果显示，献血前/后皮质醇浓度以及大多数临床参数均无显著变化，但直肠温度在献血后显著升高[38.5℃（38.2 - 39.4℃）对38.6℃（37.6 - 41.7℃），<0.001]，这表明可能是由于身体约束导致的短暂反应。首次献血者和重复献血者之间未发现显著差异。主人报告在献血前阶段犬的兴奋迹象更明显，表明预期是应激反应的关键因素。然而，超过80%的主人报告他们的狗在献血过程后以及整个献血日表现正常。这些发现表明，犬类全血献血通常耐受性良好，不太可能与全身性生理应激相关。然而，增加对预期阶段的关注，同时仔细监测体温、采用个性化约束技术和优化环境管理，可能会进一步提高献血犬的福利。
