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"Desperate call" to the cats and doggos of Orange - your city needs you
By Peter Holmes
Do you know how much blood a cat can donate to save the life of another cat?
If you could ask the cat, it would probably say "none, but thanks for asking".
"50mL is the most you can take from a cat," Dr Judith Carney from Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital told The Orange News Examiner.
The hospital is on the lookout for cats (mostly, but also dogs when required) with owners who are willing to have their beloved take a blood test to see if they have the right type required.
"We need blood donors, particularly for cats," Dr Carney said.
She explained that while dogs can receive a blood transfusion without “cross matching” (testing for blood type), cats are more complex - of course they are - and require blood cross matching before a transfusion.
To be on the donor list, your dog needs to have a calm temperament, be in good health and fully vaccinated, weigh more than 25kgs, and be aged over 18 months but less than seven years.
When your dog goes on the donor list they receive a free health check up and heartworm test if necessary.
If your dog is used for a blood donation, they will get their next vaccination free.
Meanwhile, a donor cat also needs to be aged over 18 months but less than seven years, in good health, vaccinated, and weigh over 4kg.
Before going on the donor list, your cat will receive a free health check up and FIV test.
If used for a transfusion, your cat will receive his or her next vaccination, including FIV, for free.
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