A Carshalton cat has made a full recovery after receiving an emergency blood transfusion from a dog owned by the vet treating her in Sutton. Two-year-old Rolo was left critically ill after developing severe anaemia caused by a flea infestation. The beloved family pet was unable to eat or drink and had become so weak that she could no longer move when she was taken for emergency treatment at Vets Now in Sutton.
Critical Condition and Emergency Decision
Weekend emergency vet Paige Walker said tests revealed Rolo’s red blood cell count had fallen to just seven per cent, far below the normal level of around 30 per cent. She said: “Poor Rolo really was very poorly. She’d collapsed and her gums were very pale which is a common indicator of anaemia. We did tests and her red blood cell count was down to seven per cent, which is one of the lowest levels I’ve ever seen in an adult cat. We had to move very quickly and the only potential option for keeping Rolo alive was an emergency blood transfusion.”
With no feline blood available at the time, Paige turned to an unusual but recognised emergency option in the form of her own four-year-old cocker spaniel, Gin, who became Rolo’s life-saving donor. Paige said: “There wasn’t any cat blood available to us at that exact moment, and feline blood is extremely difficult to source, but luckily, as it was a Sunday afternoon, I happened to have Gin with me at work. Of course, a transfusion of blood from a dog to a cat might on the surface sound quite surprising. But it’s actually an established option for one-off use in emergency circumstances like this, although it’s important to bear in mind that there is never a guarantee that it will have a successful outcome and it is not without risks to the patient.”
Successful Procedure and Recovery
Around 60 millilitres of blood was taken from Gin before being transfused to Rolo, who was then monitored closely throughout the night. The procedure proved successful and Rolo’s red blood cell count gradually began to rise. The following morning, Rolo was deemed well enough to return to her daytime veterinary practice before later returning home where she was reunited with owner Louise Wood.
Louise said: “I really thought we were going to lose Rolo and it felt at the vets like we were saying goodbye to her. Paige was very kind and took the time to explain there was a chance of saving her if we tried the transfusion. I had totally no idea that a dog’s blood could be used for a cat. It had just never crossed my mind and it really shows how much emergency vet expertise is out there.”
Louise said the story carried an extra twist because Rolo was actually named after Roly, one of the dogs in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. She said: “So, Rolo is a cat who is named after a dog and whose life was saved by one, which has to be pretty unusual.”
Flea Treatment Warning for Owners
Louise said she had regularly treated Rolo for fleas but later discovered the over-the-counter products she was using were not strong enough to tackle the infestation. Sam King, principal vet at Vets Now, said: “Louise had clearly thought that she was doing all the right things with what was available to her but without success. This is quite a common issue, and it is important for owners to be aware of it. Fleas develop resistance to treatment over time, so most over-the-counter treatments can be ineffective no matter how closely the instructions are followed. The best results are obtained using the most modern prescription-only options.”
Louise added: “I’m just so grateful to Paige, Sam and their team for everything they’ve done for Rolo and for being there in Rolo’s hour of need. Without their help we wouldn’t have Rolo with us here now and that just doesn’t bear thinking about.”
