Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/40669
One veterinarian's mission to get a life-saving product to area pets when they need it most Sim plySaving Lives By Jenny Bauer since 1998, Wirth saw a need for frequent on-site blood transfusions and expanded his practice to include one of the few blood banks in the state. "Th e cases [that usually need this service involve] trauma or pretty severe illness. We found we were at need for blood consis- tently. We were able to keep some on hand from blood banks around the country that ship it in to us, but if we had an emergency need of more than what we had on hand, we were out of luck," Wirth explains. Like humans, access to blood in emer- gency situations can spell the difference between life and death. But to access life-saving blood, local clinics have few options. While just A sleepy cat named Vinnie lies on an exam table, an IV trailing from under his chin. Twenty minutes before, he was weighed, mildly sedated and then, while asleep, had his blood drawn. A little groggy, he begins to awaken, and is soon snuggled into the arms of his owner. Vinnie isn't sick, hurt or undergoing treatment. He is simply saving lives by donating blood. Vinnie's donation is the result of Dr. Da- vid Wirth's passion for quality animal care and services. Owner of Veterinary Spe- ciality Center and Veterinary Emergency Services and a veterinarian in Madison four national ani- mal blood banks exist, the Madison area is lucky to boast three that service local clinics—Wirth's Veterinary Emergency Services along with Exceptional Care for Animals and the University of Wiscon- sin Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Even with three local sources, clinics run the risk of not being able access supplies until it's too late. It's a chance Wirth was no longer willing to take. Today Wirth not only keeps blood on hand at his emergency clinic, he also sup- plies clinics around the state. He estimates that in his clinic, blood products are used two to three times a week, and are used to treat a range of problems, from severe in- juries to accidental ingestion of common (but poisonous) household products. Th e condition most frequently treated with a blood transfusion? Ingestion of rat poison. "[Pets who've ingested rat poison] come in in a lot of trouble," Wirth explains. "Th ey're usually bleeding into their chest because they can't clot. [If you can] give them plasma, it can save their lives." As blood donors, Wirth currently relies on the pets of current or past employees, because they are familiar pets he knows are healthy. Vinnie's owner, Liz Bray, is one such employee. "Because I work here, I see the results when [blood] is given to a patient, and that really is the best part," she says. While Wirth is glad he can quickly help his patients in need of a transfusion, his goal is to supply blood to any area veteri- narian who may need it. "Th ere are about 180 [vet clinics] in Dane County and the surrounding areas, and hardly any of those practices have quick access to blood. Th ey need to have some- body around that can get blood to them if they're in urgent need," he explains. While receiving these blood products can be pricey for pet owners, it's an option for care Wirth wants every animal owner to have. For him, it's about one simple thing: "saving lives." In Case of Emergencies If you fi nd your pet in need of emergency care, 24-hour clinics in the Madison area ensure care can be found on your side of town Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Located on the University of Wisconsin campus, the hospital offers emergency care for all kinds of animals, from house cats to horses. Call before you bring in your pet. Located at 2015 Linden Dr., Madison; (608) 263-7600. Exceptional Care for Animals Situated on the Beltline, this vet clinic is always ready for any urgent situation. Located at 229 W. Beltline Hwy., Madison; (608) 807-0126. 58 BRAVA Magazine August 2011 Veterinary Emergency Service With two locations, these clinics prefer you call ahead, but welcome walk-in emergencies. Located at 1612 N. High Point Rd., Ste. 100, Middleton; (608) 831-1101 and 4902 E. Broadway, Madison; (608) 222-2455. Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Care This clinic offers a host of specialized services in addition to 24-hour critical care. Located at 1848 Waldorf Blvd., Madison; (608) 845-0002. Photo by Amber Arnold