Dog blood transfusion saves cat with severe flea-related anaemia
Rolo, a two-year-old cat with life-threatening anaemia caused by a flea infestation, was saved after receiving an emergency blood transfusion from a dog. With feline blood unavailable, the vet used blood from her own cocker spaniel, Gin, in a recognised but risky one-off emergency procedure.
Rolo’s red blood cell count was just 7 per cent on arrival, compared with a typical level of about 30 per cent. Gin donated around 60 millilitres, and Rolo was monitored overnight as her count began to rise; she returned home after further veterinary care. Her owner said she had been using over-the-counter flea treatments, but the clinic warned that some can become ineffective and recommended modern prescription treatments.
- A dog’s blood helped save critically ill cat Rolo.
- Rolo’s red blood cell count had fallen to 7 per cent.
- Vets say some over-the-counter flea treatments may not work.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Critically ill cat named Rolo is saved by an emergency blood transfusion – from a dog”.