In an innovative approach to tackling a shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids in veterinary care, an Australian veterinarian has found a way to repurpose leftover saline from blood banks—offering a vital resource for treating animals in need. Dr. Felicity Cole, a Newcastle-based veterinarian, has turned a simple observation into a nationwide initiative that is now benefiting both domestic pets and wildlife.
From Human Blood Banks to Animal Clinics
Intravenous fluids, particularly saline, are widely used in hospitals to maintain hydration and blood volume in human patients. However, once a blood donation session concludes, a significant amount of this fluid often remains unused. Hospital regulations in Australia—and likely in most countries—require that any leftover saline be discarded due to strict sanitation standards. Yet, the potential for this resource to aid animals had never been fully considered.
Dr. Cole, who donates blood regularly, noticed that while donors receive saline to help replenish blood cells, much of the fluid goes to waste. This sparked an idea: Could these unused fluids be safely redirected to veterinary clinics experiencing shortages?
“I knew the product [saline] was being used, and a large amount of it was possibly spare or being discarded,” Dr. Cole explained to ABC News AU. Given that her own clinic had been struggling to source enough IV fluids to treat animals—particularly for procedures requiring anesthesia or emergency trauma care—she decided to take action.
Breaking Bureaucratic Barriers
Determined to make a change, Dr. Cole reached out to the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood in July last year, proposing that the leftover saline be donated for animal care instead of being discarded.
“It was such a great idea,” said Lifeblood spokesperson Jemma Falkenmire. “But there was certainly some work to do, from our end, to get approval to donate that saline.”
To ensure the safety and usability of the repurposed IV fluids, Lifeblood implemented a heat-sealing method to preserve the integrity of the saline. This technique allows the fluids to be stored and later used for veterinary treatments without compromising sterility. Recognizing the potential impact of this initiative, Lifeblood established best practices for processing and distributing the fluid, paving the way for other facilities to follow suit.
Thousands of Bags Now Helping Save Lives
The first batch of saline arrived at Dr. Cole’s clinic in August last year. Each bag provides small animals like cats with essential hydration for 10-20 hours, depending on their condition and the nature of the treatment.
Since then, what started as a single clinic’s effort has grown into a nationwide movement. To date, Lifeblood has donated 5,000 bags of heat-sealed IV fluids to approximately 100 veterinary clinics across Australia. The impact has been profound, especially for clinics struggling to maintain their stock of IV fluids amid supply chain disruptions.
Helping More Than Just Household Pets
Beyond benefiting common household pets, the repurposed saline has played a crucial role in saving native Australian wildlife. A veterinarian at the Australia Zoo shared that the donated IV fluids have been instrumental in treating various animals, including koalas.
“This has allowed us, in some cases, to continue delivering life-saving treatment,” the veterinarian said, emphasizing that koalas, an endangered species, “rely on these lifesaving fluids.”
A Model for Future Medical Sustainability
Dr. Cole’s initiative is not only a creative solution to an immediate problem but also a potential model for sustainable medical practices. As hospitals and medical institutions worldwide look for ways to reduce waste while optimizing resources, the concept of repurposing medical supplies for animal care could gain traction in other countries.
By thinking outside the box and challenging conventional disposal norms, Dr. Cole and the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood have demonstrated that small changes can lead to significant impacts. What began as a simple request has evolved into a groundbreaking initiative—one that is saving lives, one bag of saline at a time.