Buttercup the cat
Marathon Veterinary Hospital
This orange tabby from the Florida Keys recently received a life-saving blood transfusion from a canine, KeysNet.co reports. The rare procedure is known as a xenotransfusion.
Buttercup's transfusion was performed by Dr. Sean Perry from the Marathon Veterinary Hospital on Sept. 16. Dr. Perry chose to use dog's blood to help the cat out of necessity. The veterinary hospital had immediate access to a nearby dog blood bank, but told Buttercup's owner, Ernie Saunders, it could take weeks to get the needed amount of feline donor blood.
Saunders agreed to the unusual transfusion, to help his anemic cat, who experienced a severe drop in blood pressure. Now, several weeks later, Buttercup has pep in his step once again.
Buttercup receiving his dog blood transfusion
Marathon Veterinary Hospital
"Cat's blood is a little harder to come by and not as available as dog's blood," Dr. Perry said. "We had greyhound blood packs that we get from a blood bank that has red blood cells separated from plasma. Buttercup showed no signs of rejection during the transfusion."
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, just 62 felines have received a xenotransfusion. Cats are the only known animal, outside of dogs, who can successfully accept canine blood. Cats are able to do this because they lack antibodies against canine red blood cell antigens. After receiving a canine blood transfusion, a feline will begin to produce these antibodies, making xenotransfusions a one-time procedure.
Buttercup isn't just healthier after his procedure – he's a whole new tomcat. Saunders admitted that he didn't realize Buttercup was a boy until he brought the kitty to the vet.
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