Source: Virginia Tech University
When Arya, a cocker spaniel-hound mix, developed a life-threatening condition with dangerously low platelet levels, her owners rushed her to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Facing a potential fatal hemorrhage, Arya urgently needed fresh whole blood, which contains active platelets not viable in stored blood. Indie, a 3-year-old Labrador retriever owned by Veterinary student Delaney Groves, became her lifesaving donor.
Enrolled as a blood donor even before Groves entered Veterinary school, Indie had not recently donated, making him the ideal match. Indie’s emergency donation stabilized Arya, who had been bleeding internally due to an autoimmune response attacking her platelets. The case highlighted the need for on-call donor dogs, as fresh platelet-rich blood was critical. The teaching hospital seeks more canine donors to meet such urgent needs. Donor dogs receive free care and vaccinations in return. Arya’s survival was a moving example of community, compassion, and the power of Veterinary care.
Read the full story HERE: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2025/05/vetmed-vth-success-story-arya.html