Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th June 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Blood donation saves kitten’s life
Hector's blood transfusion proved life-saving for Finn
Transfusion from a local cat saved the abandoned kitten from anaemia.

A blood donation from a local cat has saved the life of an abandoned kitten suffering from severe anaemia.

The kitten, Finn, weighed just 260g when he was brought into the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies’ Hospital for Small Animals by a member of the public. Veterinarians discovered that the kitten was severely anaemic, due to a blood-sucking flea infestation.

Finn’s blood tests revealed that he only had a 4 per cent red blood cell count, compared to the usual 25-45 per cent seen in healthy cats.

After discovering that Finn required an emergency blood transfusion, the clinical team made an urgent appeal to local cat owners for blood donors.

While the Pet Blood Bank does store canine blood products, it does not yet store feline blood donations.

The appeal was answered in the form of Hector, a ten-year-old domestic short-haired cat, whose blood transfusion proved life-saving for Finn.

Six days after being admitted to the small animals hospital, Finn was ready to be discharged. He was adopted by one of the nurses who had cared for him and has now settled in.

Suzanne Small, who adopted Finn, said: “I first met Finn when he was carried in on a tiny blanket, collapsed and covered in fleas.

“I knew there was no guarantee he would survive but he was so small and in desperate need of help that I bonded to him quickly. Since coming home, he has continued to flourish is now a happy and healthy cat.”

Jenny Reynolds, who volunteered Hector as a blood donor, adds: “We were very happy to volunteer Hector and he loved all the cuddles and attention he received from the vets!

“It was such a quick and easy procedure for him, and we were delighted that his blood donation helped save the life of little Finn.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."