Cats and dogs are regarded as family by most pet owners. As with any family dynamic, pet owners are also aware that anything can happen, and pets can find themselves needing blood transfusions, or emergency saving from having been poisoned.
Read more: Sandton SPCA wants to know: How cool is your pet?
Sandton SPCA vets, doctors Deidre Kempis and Bronwyn van Dyk weighed in on the topics of blood transfusions for pets, and how pet owners can handle situations where they suspect their companions have been poisoned.
Parasites necessitate blood transfusions
Kempis tackled the topic of blood transfusions on September 11, saying that the most common reason for a blood transfusion in dogs and cats is when they become severely anaemic due to a blood parasite such as biliary (tick bite fever).
“They might also need a transfusion if they suffer from severe blood loss during surgery or due to an accident,” Kempis said. “The SPCA does blood transfusions fairly regularly on dogs with advanced tick bite fever. Fortunately, there are always dogs available in the pound that can be used for a one-off donation. When a dog has donated blood it will always be given extra special treats as a thank you.”
Sandton SPCA also doesn’t store blood, as it only lasts for about a week once it has been drawn from the animal, Kempis said, specifying the dynamics of matching blood types for performing transfusions on cats and dogs.
“Dogs have eight different blood groups, but unlike humans, it is not necessary to match the blood group before an initial transfusion. Dogs do not have antibodies to other blood groups unless they have received a transfusion before. This means it is only necessary to match the blood type on subsequent transfusions. Cats have four different blood groups, but the majority of cats fall within the same group.”
Also read: Adopt a winter buddy from the SPCA
Has your pet been poisoned?
Van Dyk was in theatre performing sterilisations when she took a few questions on helping pets, especially dogs when they show signs of having been poisoned. Van Dyk said most of the poisonings that they do treat were a result of the rat population exploding, and people putting down poison.
“We don’t see a lot of dog poisonings here, specifically. But in private practices in more affluent neighbourhoods, absolutely,” said Van Dyk. “We treat a lot of animals from the townships, and there have been cases of malicious poisoning. Still, we expect more poisonings in summer.”
Van Dyk was cautious in suggesting home remedies for treating pets suspected of having been poisoned.
“Time is obviously of the essence with cases of poisoning, so pet owners need to seek primary veterinary care. If they know that the animal has just been poisoned, then they can try and induce vomiting with washing powder. If you wet washing powder down into a ball in your hand, you can force it down a dog’s throat and they’ll regurgitate what they’ve eaten.
“But, if the dog is already showing signs of having been poisoned; if they’re vomiting, or having tremors or seizures, or lying unconscious, then any treatment that an owner gives could potentially endanger that animal’s life further.”
Meet Kiki
Sandton SPCA animal health technician and clinic manager Tebogo Phutiagae – introducing two-year-old Pekingese mixed-breed, Kiki, to the Sandton Chronicle – shared the story of how she came to be at the SPCA that week.
“Kiki came in for a laceration but she’s now ready to go home,” Phutiagae said, showering Kiki with love. “She’s recovered, and she’s got antibiotics for the infection.”
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