MY RESCUE DOG
Kitten’s sight saved by Great Dane who is frightened of cats
AN abandoned kitten in danger of losing its sight has been saved by a Great Dane... that’s scared of cats.
Eight-week-old Zephyr had ulcerated eyes and was nearly blind when found with his two brothers under a city shed.
The three cats had pneumonia and were anaemic and dehydrated, suffering conjunctivitis and covered with ticks and fleas when they were taken to the Rescue Me Animal Sanctuary in Liverpool.
They were treated with medicated eye drops, but Zephyr did not respond to them. The centre’s vet suggested trying a serum extracted from the blood of a big, healthy dog.
None of the four dogs at the centre was suitable, so the charity put out an appeal for a donor – and Harlie’s owner Jess Parr stepped up.
Jess, 30, said: “I love cats and would love to have one, if I didn’t have four dogs. I just wanted to help. I did ask if they were sure dog blood would work – apparently it does, which is great.”
Blood taken from Harlie was separated in a centrifuge, with the liquid part made into a serum which was applied to Zephyr’s eyes, helping the surface heal and stopping the tissue breaking down. The charity’s Steph Taylor said: “The serum from Harlie was fairly unusual for us to use – we’ve never done it before.” Now Zephyr is recovering and has met his saviour Harlie. And despite towering over the tiny kitten, it was the Great Dane that was feeling nervous. Jess, from Liverpool, said: “We were a bit worried about how Harlie would react to Zephyr. She’s never met a cat in person, except the one next door that walks up and down the garden fence just out of reach, taunting her. “Harlie is a big clumsy dog but when she was with Zephyr she was so gentle, it was almost like her maternal instinct kicked in. “After donating blood most people get a cup of tea and a biscuit, so we gave Harlie a big bone. “It feels great to know she has saved the little kitten’s sight. I know he and his brothers were found in a really bad way, so it’s nice there is a happy ending.” Zephyr will be rehomed with his two brothers Zouse and Zee next weekend.