Kitten Saved From Certain Death By Blood Transfusion From Her Vet’s Own Cat
A flea-ridden kitten on the verge of death has been saved after a vet volunteered her own cat to donate life-saving blood.
Eight-week-old Bobbins the black moggy was found alone and in a critical condition in a back garden in west London.
Fatal - Bobbins was on death’s door because of her fleas (Pictures: SWNS)
The flea-ridden kitten had developed flea anaemia - a serious condition caused when fleas drain an animal’s body of so much blood it can’t function normally.
The condition, which can prove fatal, is especially common in very young and elderly animals who aren’t strong enough to tolerate rapid blood loss.
Bobbins needed an urgent lifesaving blood transfusion, and luckily for the little moggy, a vet at the Blue Cross animal hospital in London volunteered her own cat Bobby to donate the right type A blood.
The kitten was given her name Bobbins in honour of the generous donation from Bobby.
A match - Bobby the vet’s cat had the right blood group to donate to Bobbins
Amanda Marrington, Welfare Officer at Blue Cross Victoria, said: “Poor Bobbins was covered in fleas when she arrived which can be very dangerous for such young, small animals.
“If kittens aren’t treated for fleas they can quickly become infested and can lose a lot of blood from being bitten.
"Fortunately one of our vets had a cat that matched Bobbins’ blood type and we were able to carry out the transfusion the day she came in, otherwise she might not have survived.
"She’s an amazing little kitten and is such a fighter - we’re so pleased she pulled through.”
Recovered - Bobbins is looking for a new forever home
Bobbins has now been moved to the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Torbay, Devon, where she is being cared for in a foster home until a new home can be found.
Catherine Newland, Animal Welfare Supervisor at Blue Cross Torbay, said: “Little Bobbins has had quite a traumatic start to life but she doesn’t let that get her down!
"She’s such a lovely kitten and is so affectionate and confident. She’ll make a wonderful companion.”
