Carshalton cat saved by vet's dog's blood transfusion

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

A two-year-old cat made a full recovery after receiving an emergency blood transfusion from a vet's cocker spaniel.

Two-year-old Rolo from Carshalton was left critically ill after developing severe anaemia caused by a flea infestation. The cat was unable to eat or drink and too weak to move when taken for emergency treatment at Vets Now in Sutton on a Sunday afternoon.

Weekend emergency vet Paige Walker found that Rolo's red blood cell count had fallen to just seven per cent, far below the normal level of around 30 per cent. Walker said the red blood cell count was 'one of the lowest levels I've ever seen in an adult cat'. Rolo had collapsed and her gums were very pale, a common indicator of anaemia.

With no feline blood available at the time and feline blood being extremely difficult to source, Walker turned to an unusual but recognised emergency option: a blood transfusion from her own four-year-old cocker spaniel, Gin. The dog became Rolo's life-saving donor. Rolo has since made a full recovery.

How it is being reported

• Carshalton cat saved by emergency blood transfusion from Sutton vet’s hero dogA Carshalton cat has made a full recovery after receiving an emergency blood transfusion from a dog owned by the vet treating her in Sutton.Croydon Guardian · 18 Oct, 12:00
• Carshalton cat saved by emergency blood transfusion from Sutton vet’s hero dogA Carshalton cat has made a full recovery after receiving an emergency blood transfusion from a dog owned by the vet treating her in Sutton.This Is Local London · 18 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Rolo · Paige Walker · Gin · Vets Now · Carshalton · Sutton

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