KRISTY RAMNARINE
Kristy.ramnarine@cnc3.co.tt
Treat animals respectfully and humanely. It’s an Islamic teaching which Dr Ansarah Hosein is happy to live by.
The Assistant Lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI) School of Veterinary Medicine is credited for starting the country’s first canine blood bank. She got the idea while doing her Master’s degree at the Ontario Veterinary College.
“I observed their blood bank and the ease and efficiency of administering blood to patients in a timely manner,” Dr Hosein said.
“With the help of Dr Sabrina Thomas, we were able to make it possible. At the Veterinary Teaching Hospital we see many patients that need blood, and having the blood readily available can save an animal’s life. Since the start of the blood bank in 2020, we have administered on average around 200 blood transfusions to dogs.”
Dr Hosein realised from a young age that caring for animals was her passion.
“When I was in high school, one of my kittens became suddenly paralysed in his back legs,” she explained.
“We took him to three vets and the first two advised that we should put the kitten to sleep (euthanasia). We didn’t want to do this so we sought a third opinion. That vet gave us medication to give to the kitten, and he returned to being able to walk normally in a few weeks. The experience resonated with me, and so when the time came to make up my mind about a profession to choose to study at university is when I finally decided for sure to become a veterinarian.”
Dr Hosein continues to be passionate about the Canine Blood Bank.
“There are a handful of regular donors and we have had many one-time donors who have been brought in to help their friend/relative’s pet,” she added.
“We are always in need of new donors as it is challenging for some people to commit the time to bring their dogs to donate. In Trinidad, there is a high prevalence of dogs that are infected with blood parasites that are spread by ticks and this also causes potential donors to not pass the screening process fairly often.” Donations are done by appointment.
“Initially a thorough examination is performed on the animal, and blood is taken for a blood count,” Dr Hosein said.
“Once the animal meets the criteria for donation (one-eight years of age, healthy, >25 Kg, no ectoparasites present, good temperament) and the blood count is normal then we proceed to collect the blood from the jugular vein into the same type of blood collection bag that is used for people.
“The dogs are usually fine after donation and can walk out of the clinic normally. Advice is given on how to care for the site that the blood was taken from to prevent infections.”
Born and raised in Islam, Dr Hosein continues to balance the fasting associated with Ramadan and her daily job.
“Fasting in Ramadan always feels easier to me than fasting at other times of the year,” she said.
“This year two of my co-workers are also fasting so it is nice to have company. In Ramadan, Muslims also strive to increase their good deeds and there are many opportunities at my workplace to do this whether it be giving advice to clients or students or helping relieve animal suffering and simple acts of kindness.”
She is looking forward to feeling the sense of accomplishment of having fasted and attempted to become a better person.
While there will be a touch of sorrow that the month of mercy has come to an end, she is also excited and happy for Eid celebrations which she tries to make a memorable and enjoyable event for her children.
Donors can contact Dr Sabrina Thomas at ansarah.hosein@sta.uwi.edu or sabrina.thomas@sta.uwi.edu to arrange the appointment.
