Appeal for pawsome lifesaving pooches
A beautiful black Labrador has been hailed a hero after her donated blood saved another pooch’s life.
Now Skye’s owner Catriona Edgar is urging dog owners to take their pup to Ayrshire’s first ever pet blood bank this month.
Quick- thinking vet Catriona rushed home to grab Skye when she was recently working with a case of suspected Leptospirosis infection at Vets4Pets Ayr.
The poor dog developed haemolytic anaemia and Catriona had to act fast.
Catriona told the Post: “Her blood cells were being destroyed by her immune system, making her dangerously anaemic.
“She desperately needed a blood transfusion to survive but we don’t routinely stock blood products, being a general practice and not a hospital.
“My Labrador Skye was at home not too far away, so I drove home to pick her up between consultations and brought her in to donate blood to help the sickly dog, who went on to make a full recovery.”
After lots of cuddles, treats - and an extra big dinner - Skye, 4, bounced back to her old self and Catriona says she didn’t miss the blood at all.
Just like in humans, pets who are in accidents or have severe illnesses could need access to lifesaving blood in an emergency.
Vets4Pets Ayr, at Allison Street Retail Park, are hosting Ayrshire’s first ever canine blood drive – and Catriona’s urging owners to get involved.
She said: “Human hospitals are stocked with donated blood at all times, so it’s important that veterinary hospitals have blood available to them.
“The Pet Blood Bank allows members of the public to bring their pets along to give these lifesaving donations and keep a stock of blood for when it’s needed in an emergency.
“As the abilities of vets to provide blood products, and the need for blood transfusions in our patients is increasing, the pet blood bank are expanding their donation sessions through the country.
“At Vets4Pets Ayr we are very proud to be hosting the first Ayrshire canine blood drive.”
The Pet Blood Bank is a charitable organisation who make no profit on the sale of blood to veterinary practices.
Launched in 2007, they remain the only charity which provides a canine blood bank service to vets throughout the UK and there’s plans to expand in the future to include other pets such as cats.
There are specific eligibility criteria which apply to dogs who are donating blood which can be found on the Pet Blood Bank website – but they are specifically looking for dogs over 25kg who have never travelled abroad, are up to date on their vaccinations, and have never had a transfusion before.
Only 30% of dogs tested have the ideal DEA- 1 negative blood type. These dogs are in high demand as, just like the human O- blood type, it can be given to any dog in an emergency.
The event is on Saturday, November 21 at Vets4Pets between 10- 4pm.
Visit www. petbloodbankuk. org or call 01509 232 222 to get involved.