Vet Saves Critically Ill Cat with Emergency Blood Transfusion from Dog

A cat's life was saved by an emergency blood transfusion using blood from a dog after developing severe anemia. Two-year-old cat Rolo was critically ill after a flea infestation left her with severe anemia. She was unable to eat, drink, or move when brought to Vets Now in Sutton, south London.

With no feline blood available, veterinarian Paige Walker utilized an established emergency option: canine blood. Walker’s four-year-old cocker spaniel, Gin, became Rolo’s donor. “There wasn’t any cat blood available to us at that exact moment, and feline blood is extremely difficult to source,” Walker stated. She noted that while a dog-to-cat transfusion might sound unusual, it is a recognized, one-off procedure for emergency circumstances, though not without risks.

Tests revealed Rolo's red blood cell count had fallen to 7 percent, significantly below the normal level of around 30 percent. Approximately 60 milliliters of blood were taken from Gin and transfused into Rolo. The cat was closely monitored overnight, and her red blood cell count began to rise.

“Poor Rolo really was very poorly,” Walker said. “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.”

The following morning, Rolo was well enough to return to her regular veterinary practice before going home to her owner, Louise Wood. Wood expressed her relief, stating, “I really thought we were going to lose Rolo.” She added that she had no prior knowledge that a dog’s blood could be used for a cat.

In an unusual twist, Rolo is named after Roly, a dog from Disney's animated film "101 Dalmatians." Wood mentioned that she had been treating Rolo for fleas with over-the-counter products, which proved ineffective against the infestation.

Sam King, principal vet at Vets Now, advised that fleas can develop resistance to common treatments, making prescription-only options more effective. He emphasized the importance of owners being aware of this issue.

“Without their help we wouldn’t have Rolo with us here now and that just doesn’t bear thinking about,” Wood said, expressing gratitude to the veterinary team.