Feline blood donors may one day play an important role in saving your cat’s life.

By Karen Commings

Blood can be the gift of life not just for humans, but also for our cats. “A cat suffering severe injury or trauma may require blood transfusions,” says Marjory Brooks, DVM, internal medicine specialist and co-director of the coagulation section at Cornell University’s Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Other indications for transfusion include surgical complications and anemia caused by autoimmune disease, renal failure, chemotherapy, parasites in the intestinal tract or fleas. “Young kittens are especially at risk for blood-loss anemia caused by flea infestation,” says Dr. Brooks. …

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