Halifax pup saved by blood from a dog hundreds of miles away

Casey needed urgent veterinary treatment after she was diagnosed with IMHA, a disease where her own body was destroying its healthy blood cells.

The blood was provided by canine blood bank charity, Pet Blood Bank UK (PBB) and was donated by Ishka, a cross breed from East Lothian.

Casey’s ordeal started when owner Frances Wright returned from her usual woodland walk. Arriving home, Frances noticed that Casey had cut her back paw. “I immediately tended to the cut but I was struggling to get the bleeding to stop. I had to rush Casey to our local veterinary practice, West Mount Vets for immediate treatment,” said Frances.

West Mount treated Casey with antibiotics and stapled the cut so she was able to head home.

But over the next few days Casey was deteriorating and after another trip to the vets it was clear she needed specialist care.

After a two-hour trip to Liverpool University Veterinary Hospital, Casey was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia (IMHA), a disease which meant that her body was attacking its own healthy red blood cells.

Alongside other treatment, Casey needed a vital blood transfusion with blood provided by charity, Pet Blood Bank UK (PBB).

Frances said: "Without PBB and their donors, I wouldn’t have Casey by my side today. She needed the blood to boost her recovery but even after this, we needed 10 months of specialist care to treat this awful disease.

She added: "Casey is now doing really, really well. She was always precious but with everything that has happened she is now even more precious. We will be eternally grateful for the service PBB provide and to Casey’s donor.”

PBB were able to track Casey's transfusion to Ishka - a three and a half year-old Golden Retriever Labrador cross who has donated blood four times to date to help her fellow canines.

With one donation saving up to four dogs' lives not only had Ishka been a lifesaver for Casey, she has potentially helped save up to 11 other sick and injured dogs.

Ishka's owner Carol McWatt was absolutely delighted to hear about Casey and urged other dog owners to consider registering their dog as a potential donor.

She said: “We were so pleased to hear that Ishka’s donation had helped save another dog’s life. When we heard about Casey it all felt a bit surreal as we see the whole donation process as pretty day-to-day really. It’s when you are told about situations like this that you are reminded of just how important donations are.”