UK’s first blood bank for cats established
Current statistics reveal that only one per cent of veterinary surgeons have access to cat blood donations.
A veterinary practice in London has partnered with a Portugal-based group to establish the first blood bank for cats in the UK.
Dr Jeremy Campbell, the founder of The London Cat Clinic, has been working with the BSA – Animal Blood Bank UK in Portugal, to improve feline blood donations in the UK.
Current statistics from Pet Blood Bank UK reveal that only one per cent of veterinary surgeons have access to cat blood donations, with only 18 feline donor practices in the country. They also found that many veterinary practices in the UK were unaware that there was a UK feline blood donation programme.
This has made it more difficult for veterinary practices to provide life-saving, timely treatment to cats in need of blood transfusions.
Cats have three major blood groups: A, B and AB. As each group has different antigens and antibodies, it is vital that veterinary surgeons have access to enough of each type so that the donor and recipient blood types match before transfusion.
Dr Campbell’s work with BSA- Animal Blood Bank UK aimed to streamline the donation process that is required for feline blood donations and further develop the process in the UK, in the hope of increasing blood donation sources.
The BSA runs pet blood donations across four different countries with multiple donations team. They are also the only Veterinary Blood Bank that is accredited as ‘cat-friendly’ by the International Society of Feline Medicine.
The newly established blood bank is now recognised as the first feline blood bank that is licensed in the UK by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
Dr Campbell said: “Many people are unaware that cats can donate blood and help other cats in need. Cat blood donations are a relatively safe and simple procedure that can literally mean the difference between life and death for the cats that require them."
“We urge cat owners to consider donating their cats’ blood and help us create a better UK cat blood bank supply that can save many cats’ lives.”
Dr Rui Ferreira, director of the BSA - Animal Blood Bank UK, said: “We would like to thank veterinary specialists including Dr Jeremy Campbell and Dr Samantha Taylor (at International Cat Care) for supporting our initiative and helping to adapt the protocols to the UK. We are very grateful for their huge contribution and for the partnership with The London Cat Clinic.”
Image © The London Cat Clinic
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
