CSU Veterinary Health System

🩸 One animal's donation can help save another patient's life.

Each year, our Blood Bank supports more than 700 canine and feline blood transfusions, giving patients a second chance during major surgeries, complex illnesses, and life-threatening emergencies.

Just like human hospitals, veterinary medicine relies on a steady supply of donated blood. But unlike people, canine and feline universal donors can be especially difficult to find.

This World Blood Donor Day, we're celebrating the pets and owners who make lifesaving care possible. Learn how the donation process works, why certain blood types are in high demand, and how your pet could help save another animal's life.

📖 Read our latest blog: https://csuveterinaryhealth.org/how-one-pets-donation-can-help-save-anothers-life/

CSU 🤝 Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance for a 🐍

When DZCA staff noticed a small mass on a Florida kingsnake’s face during routine care, their Veterinary Medicine team jumped into action. A biopsy identified the mass as a melanophoroma, and CT imaging confirmed the cancer had not spread elsewhere in his body.

Because the tumor was located near the jaw, surgery would have been difficult without removing part of it. Instead, the DCZA team partnered with CSU veterinary experts to pursue radiation therapy.

There’s still limited information about cancer treatment in snakes, so cases like this help advance veterinary medicine for reptiles everywhere. Thankfully, the mass was caught early, and teams will continue monitoring him closely now that radiation treatment has been completed. We’re rooting for this little guy. 🐍

During National Zoo & Aquarium Month, stories like these are a great reminder of the power of partnership to improve animal health and advance care for species of all kinds.