[IndigoKat]

Hi,

My cat has been having numerous issues relating to what we think is IBD. His steroid treatment has resulted in him developing diabetes so clearly steroids have now stopped and insulin has started. He now has to have his gall bladder removed and several biopsies to try to best work out a plan of attack.

Unfortunately he has B type blood and may need a transfusion. There is a blood bank for dogs but not cats. My vet has said it's quite tricky to find donors now since they have made buying blood illegal.

I noticed that in 2007 some catworld owners were offering their cats as donors in WA. I was just wondering if there is any kind and generous donors in Melbourne of this rarer blood type interested in helping out my Russian Blue.

Thanks in advance,

Indigo and Kait

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[Cuddleton]

Good luck. Let us know if you find someone. I hope it all goes well.

[Furrballz]

I doubt i have any B type cats....one of the Birman Breeders might have a cat that can help tho.

Has your vet said what is needed weight wise etc to be a donor? I know there are guidelines for dogs

[suesabys]

Not sure where in Melbourne you are, but I work for Chirnside Park Vet Clinic, and one of our clinic cats is B Blood type.....

Cheers,


Sue

[Cuddleton]

Sue that is great. How wonderful that you have a donor cat at the clinic. He/she must be a real little lifesaver for other kitties. Give them a pat from me!

[♥Brooke♥]

Southern Animal Referral centre has access to a B blood type cat. We have had a transfusion there before and they were great. So maybe you could try talking to them if you have no luck elsewhere.

[my4cats]

You could try ringing around. My vet has a few cats that they have as donors. They 'donate' for a while and then they get rehomed. Hopefully someone your way does the same thing.

Good luck with your kitty. You sound like a very caring pet owner.

[IndigoKat]

Thank you so much for all your helpful input. I admit it has taken me a week to post again because I have been trying to deal with all his other things at the moment and this has to wait until he's a little more stable.

Sue, I am actually inner east but grew up near you in Croydon and he was born in Bayswater. My vet plans to get a B type Russian too but in the meantime it's so comforting to know they exist in Melbourne.

I have also thought of getting a "friend" for my cat but wondered about how I would find out the blood group of a potential adoption without them thinking I had bad intentions for the new puss. I live in a flat with a small cat run and have avoided the idea of a new pet due to space but maybe it would be good for my cat to have another buddy since the last of his cat friends passed a year ago.

Furrballz I actually asked my vet about this because I wanted to know why there wasn't a register for this in Australia. I said that if Indigo was fortunate enough to benefit this time I would like him to be able to help out another cat in the future. Apparently though this is out of the question because they need to be very large (pref over 6 kgs), between 18 months and 6 years, healthy and with a placid temperament. Some cats apparently do not mind the procedure at all but some cats can require sedation.

Indy probably only needs a tiny bit but the problem is you need it to be very fresh for cats ideally less than 6 hours old.

I know it is asking a lot for someone to do this for a stranger and the fact that it is illegal to pay for their time/service makes it even harder.

Again thank you all. He has his third all day blood glucose test next week at which time we are going to give him a dental extraction too as this seems to be bothering him more than the ibd, gall stones and diabetes.

I appreciate all your thoughts and comments so much.