Calder Vets - which has branches across West Yorkshire - is compiling an innovative feline blood donor register to help save the lives of cats who are seriously ill or have suffered a major accident.Feline blood, unlike blood from humans or dogs, cannot be stored and finding a suitable donor match at the exact time the blood is needed can be very difficult.
The register will make finding the right donor match much faster and easier - which in turn could spell the difference between life and death for a patient.
Medic Jane Scott says: "There are a variety of conditions that can result in severe anaemia in cats and require a transfusion, such as haemorrhage after a road traffic accident or illnesses such as haemolysis where the cat's own immune system attacks the red blood cells.
"Finding a suitable donor match for a cat can be difficult and feline blood can't be stored. It really is the difference between life and death."
The donor has to be the correct match for the patient to avoid the recipient's immune system attacking cells, so it is vital that cats should be blood typed before having a transfusion - a simple procedure which can be carried out at your nearest Calder Vets practice.
If you would be interested in your cat potentially becoming a blood donor then please contact the Calder Vets Dewsbury practice on 01924 465592.
