Blood hound Bailey saves dogs' lives.

Byline: Cara Simpson

MEET Bailey the English pointer - a lifesaving pooch. His owner Lizz Fleming , of Leamington, volunteered her two-year-old dog to give blood and help other canines in need of a blood transfusion.

The stress-free procedure was over in a matter of minutes at a dog blood donor drive at Broad Lane veterinary surgery, in Tile Hill.

Half a pint of Bailey's blood was collected by Pet Blood Bank UK staff, who run dog blood donor sessions at vets around the country.

Up to four dogs could be saved thanks to the unit of blood he donated.

This fact reassured Lizz , a stable manager, who admitted she felt squeamish as the needle was inserted into his neck and she saw his blood drip into a bag.

But she knew it was all worthwhile as it was Bailey's second time as a donor and she was so pleased with his first experience, she did not hesitate to volunteer him again.

She said: "I work with animals so I know how important it is that there is a good supply of blood if any animal needs it.

"I spoke to my vet about it and he suggested that Bailey would be a good candidate.

"The vets really take care of the dog and if they show any sign of discomfort they stop it straight away.

"I volunteer Bailey because I'd like to think enough would be available if ever he was in an accident and desperately needed blood."

Before the procedure, an auxiliary nurse gave Bailey a health check and he was walked into the room where the blood donation session was held.

One vet, a nurse and three auxiliary nurses were present as the procedure took place.

Afterwards he was given treats to munch on and chose a free toy to take home.

Bailey is one of about 20 regular dogs which visit the surgery every three months to give blood at PBB blood drive sessions.

Broad Lane Veterinary Surgery is the only one in Coventry which offers the donation service for blood collection, which helps dogs which are seriously injured in road accidents, or suffer from chronic conditions.

Vets hope more dog owners will volunteer their pets for blood donation, saving other owners the trauma of mourning the loss of a beloved pet.

Vet Ella Pittaway volunteered her labrador Max to give blood, as one of the surgery's small pool of dedicated donors, before PBB came into existence.

Max is due is due to retire after six years of giving blood.

She said: "It's well worth volunteering your dog for blood donation because your dog gets a free MOT health check and it's not as traumatic as people think.

"They get lots of hugs and treats afterwards, most dogs come back with their tails wagging."

ABOUT PET BLOOD BANK blood plasma.

One unit of blood can save four dogs' lives.

THE Loughborough-based charity collects and stores various blood types from canine volunteers and supply it to vets across the country. vaccinated, of good temperament, microchipped and not have travelled abroad.

In order for your dog to give blood, it must satisfy a number of criteria based on weight and age.

The charity needs about 30 pints a day to support dogs across the country.

PBB arranges a series of dog blood donor drives and the supplies are taken to a special facility where it is processed and split into Dogs must be between one and eight years old, weigh more than 25kg, be fit and healthy, fully If you would like to volunteer their dog contact www.petbloodbankuk.org, or call 0844 800 9925 .

CAPTION(S):

SAFE AND WELL ... Lizz Fleming (Bailey's owner) Bailey and vet Elly Pittaway after the procedure. DONATION TIME ... Bailey the pointer gives blood while attended by staff and owner Lizz Fleming