A COPPLESTONE kitten has actually commemorated her very first birthday simply weeks after getting a life-saving blood transfusion.
Fika was 10 months-old when her owner Tilly Roovers hurried her to Jonathan Wood Vets, stressed that the cat was sluggish and had actually gone off her food.
Tommy was Fika’s blood donor. (J Wood Vets)
She had actually likewise established the uncommon behaviour of licking paint off the kitchen area walls.
At the veterinarian practice in Barnstaple Cross, Crediton, the young cat was taken a look at by veterinarian and scientific director Lizzy Linney, who discovered the much-loved family pet’s heart was pounding and her gums were white instead of salmon pink, which are both indications of anaemia.
A blood test validated that Fika had a really low variety of red cell and she was precariously anaemic.
The family pet was provided an emergency situation blood transfusion to provide her the very best possibility of healing, with Lizzy’s own cat, Tommy, contributing the blood.
Veterinary Surgeon Lizzy said: “Fika was very poorly because her immune system was attacking and destroying her own blood cells.
“The condition was life-threatening because without a healthy blood supply to take oxygen around her body, it was putting her at risk of organ failure.
“To replenish her supply of red blood cells, we gave her a blood transfusion, which is something we only do in cats in the most serious cases. Cats can often reject donor blood, so transfusions are not as common in felines as they are in dogs.
“We took the blood from our own cat, Tommy, because he was readily available in an emergency and I knew he was a suitable donor because he’s in good health. It’s the second time Tommy has saved a life by being a blood donor.”
Fika’s blood transfusion took 5 hours and she was kept under close observation at the veterinarian practice overnight, with fluids administered intravenously to support her healing.
She was likewise provided steroids to reduce her body immune system and stop it assaulting her red cell, and she might require medication long-lasting.
Lizzy included: “The transfusion went well and next morning Fika was much brighter, although she was still pale and weak. She continued to improve over the following days, and it was lovely to see her happier and eating well again.
“After she went home, Fika continued to come in for regular blood tests to monitor her condition, and despite all the vet visits she remained the most loving and affectionate patient. She’s won a place in the hearts of the whole team at Jonathan Wood Vets and her purring was infectious.”
Fika has actually now commemorated her very first birthday at home in Copplestone with her owner Tilly Roovers and kids Avie, 7 and Jenson, 5.
Mrs Roovers said Fika fell ill simply weeks after her hubby, Ronald, died from an unusual form of cancer.
The family initially believed Fika’s unusual behaviour was sorrow however ended up being progressively concerned about the family pet as her condition weakened.
Mrs Roovers said: “One of the strangest things was that Fika started licking patches of paint from the walls. Lizzy explained this was because her body was craving nutrients that her blood wasn’t supplying her body with.
“It was very worrying how poorly she was, and after going through an unbearable time with my husband’s illness, we were terrified we were going to lose Fika, too. She is so special to us and when my husband was having chemotherapy, she would sit by his side for hours while he gained comfort from stroking her.
“I owe it to the team at Jonathan Wood Vets for saving her life and giving her such good care and it’s incredible that Lizzy donated her own cat’s blood to make Fika well again. It’s hard to believe that within a few days she was back to her normal self, and being a playful, mischievous kitten again.
“It would have been heartbreaking to have lost Fika, and having her back home with us has changed the mood and we’ve been all been able to smile again.”
