A three-year-old golden retriever named Bruno has helped highlight a growing need for canine blood donors, after his recent donation helped save the life of another dog in South Australia.

Bruno donated blood at the Millicent and Kingston Veterinary Clinic in the Limestone Coast, where veterinarians are encouraging owners of healthy adult dogs to consider registering them as potential donors.

Veterinarian Sarah McGrath said blood transfusions had become an important part of emergency veterinary care, but finding suitable donors at short notice could be challenging.

Unlike human blood, stored animal blood has a limited shelf life, meaning veterinary clinics often rely on registers of healthy dogs that can be called upon when an emergency occurs.

According to Red Cross Lifeblood, a single dog blood donation can potentially save up to four dogs. In some critical situations, canine blood can also be used for cats when feline blood is unavailable.

Specialist veterinarian Stephanie Leeder said this type of emergency transfusion, known as a xenotransfusion, can sometimes provide valuable time for a critically ill cat.

Veterinary teams commonly require blood for animals affected by poisoning, including rodent bait ingestion, road accidents, farming injuries and serious illnesses such as cancer.

McGrath said the Limestone Coast clinic was particularly interested in healthy adult dogs weighing more than 25 kilograms. Potential donors must have no significant pre-existing health conditions and must not have previously received a blood transfusion.

The donation itself is relatively straightforward. Suitable dogs may receive light sedation, undergo basic health checks and have blood collected through a vein.

Bruno’s owner, Michelle Gysbers, said she was proud of her dog and had no hesitation about allowing him to donate.

“He did a great job,” she said, adding that Bruno quickly returned to normal after the sedation wore off.

Veterinarians say expanding donor registers could make a crucial difference when an animal suddenly needs blood, often in the middle of an emergency when every minute matters.