Esther’s cat Betty has donated blood on multiple occasions.
Cheshire Animal Hospital's Urgent Appeal For Cat Blood Donors
3 months ago 
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A renowned animal hospital in Cheshire has issued an urgent appeal for feline blood donors to keep stocks at a healthy level.
Linnaeus-owned Northwest Veterinary Specialists (NWVS) in Runcorn, which is recognised as a gold level cat-friendly clinic (CFC) by the International Society of Feline Medicine, is asking cat owners in the region to consider if their pet is suitable to become a blood donor.
Leading by example, Esther Montrose, multidisciplinary nurse supervisor at NWVS, has two cats who have both donated blood on multiple occasions when poorly feline patients have arrived at NVWS needing blood transfusions.
Esther said: “It’s always a positive experience for both cats and also for me as their owner as I felt a sense of fulfilment that they were able to help somebody else’s pet.
“They also benefitted from lots of cuddles and treats once they had recovered in the hospital.”
Cats need to meet certain criteria to be a feline blood donor, including being aged between one and eight and weighing over 4.5kg. They must not have received a blood transfusion themselves and must be healthy and not on medication.
Additionally, donors need to be up to date with vaccinations and flea treatment, comfortable and relaxed with people and not have travelled abroad.
Jenny Pearson, hospital manager at NWVS, said: “Feline blood donors play a critical role in helping patients in need of blood and NWVS will arrange for a blood typing and general health check for potential donors.”
Anyone who may be interested in registering their cat as a blood donor can email Leanne Doherty, a cat advocate at NWVS, at [email protected] for more information.
NWVS is one of the UK’s leading specialist-led animal hospitals. It offers care in anaesthesia and analgesia, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery.
For more information on Northwest Veterinary Specialists, visit www.nwspecialists.com or search for Northwest Veterinary Specialists on social media.
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