Cat's Life Saved by Canine Blood Transfusion in Emergency Procedure

A two-year-old cat named Rolo has made a full recovery after receiving an emergency blood transfusion from the veterinary clinic's resident dog. Rolo was brought to Vets Now in Sutton, South London, in critical condition due to severe anemia, exacerbated by a flea infestation. The cat was unable to eat or drink and had become too weak to move.

With no feline blood available at the veterinary hospital, weekend emergency veterinarian Paige Walker administered a transfusion using blood from her own four-year-old cocker spaniel, Gin. Walker explained that while a dog-to-cat transfusion might seem unusual, it is an established emergency procedure for one-off use, though it carries risks and no guarantee of success.

Rolo's red blood cell count had dropped to seven percent, significantly below the normal feline level of approximately 30 percent. Approximately 60 milliliters of blood were drawn from Gin and transfused into Rolo. The cat was closely monitored overnight, and the procedure proved successful, leading to a gradual increase in her red blood cell count.

"Poor Rolo really was very poorly," Walker stated. "She'd collapsed and her gums were very pale, which is a common indicator of anemia. We had to move very quickly and the only potential option for keeping Rolo alive was an emergency blood transfusion."

By the following morning, Rolo was stable enough to be transferred to her regular daytime veterinary practice and was later discharged to return home to Carshalton. Her owner, Louise Wood, expressed immense relief, admitting she had feared the worst upon arrival at the emergency clinic. Wood was unaware that a dog's blood could be used for a cat, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the life-saving intervention.

Wood noted that she had been treating Rolo for fleas but discovered the over-the-counter products she used were insufficient against the infestation. Sam King, principal vet at Vets Now, commented on the commonality of this issue, advising pet owners that fleas can develop resistance to over-the-counter treatments. He recommended consulting veterinarians for more modern, prescription-only options for effective flea control.