Greyhound blood saves sick cat's life

They may be known as enemies, but one dog has put the feud aside and saved a cat’s life with its own canine blood.

Rex the Russian Blue cat came to Victoria’s U-Vet Werribee Hospital after eating rat poison at his Winchelsea home on Victoria’s Surf Coast.

“He was bleeding internally and in desperate need of a blood transfusion,” the hospital’s blood donor co-ordinator Kerry Bozicevic told 9NEWS.

With no viable car donor available, there was only one option: dog blood from greyhound, Alice.

“Dogs and cats aren’t known for being best friends, but (in this case) they’ve saved each other’s lives,” Ms Bozicevic said.

“He’s survived and he’s all purr-fect now,” Rex’s owner Meagan Mccartney said with a laugh.

Following the transfusion, the 18-month old cat required another donation from his own species, as the cat’s immune system destroys dog blood after a couple of days.

There is now a push for more cats to donate to the Werribee Animal Hospital’s feline blood bank to in case of emergencies.

“One donation will save two lives, and will be ready for any animal that needs it.”

Pre-requisites for donors include having a calm temperament, aged between one and five, and weighing more than four kilograms; they must also be healthy and up-to-date with vaccinations.

More information can be found here.