Dogs Donate Blood To Rescue Fellow Canines (VIDEO)

Sure, blood transfusions are critical for humans. But they can also help dogs heal -- and not just in the command sort of way.

Advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for man's best friend to become canine blood donors and save the lives of their other four-legged friends, KFSN reports.

Dogs like Sparkle, a California-based rescue Greyhound who donates blood once a month, are helping countless animals every day.

"For every unit of blood that she gives, she will help at least two other dogs," Sparkle's owner, Mary Beth Bartel, told the network.

According to the report, about 40 percent of dogs are universal donors, making them ideal candidates for the seven existing blood types. The process requires little or no recovery time, and only takes about 10 minutes. But it can impact another dog for the rest of its life.

"Animals that are bleeding or have problems being able to clot their blood, you know, they really need those blood products, and they are life-saving for those animals," Dr. Lee Herold, Chief Medical Officer at DoveLewis, told KFSN.

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