UK to launch its first-ever blood bank for cats

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Guardian
2 Jul 2023 20:41

Portuguese organization Banco de Sangue Animal has been granted a permit to establish the UK's first-ever feline blood bank, marking a new milestone in cat health in the UK.

A cat wearing sunglasses poses at the Los Angeles Feline Film Festival at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, United States, September 21 2014. (AFP)

The UK's first feline blood bank is set to be established, addressing the challenges surrounding sourcing blood products for sick cats. Unlike human and canine blood banks, feline blood donation has been more complex due to regulations and logistics.

Samantha Taylor, a feline medicine specialist, highlighted the difficulties faced by vets in finding suitable donors for cats requiring blood transfusions, which often leads to delays, unsuitable matches, and risks of infectious diseases.

Additionally, cats have blood groups, and receiving the wrong blood type can prove fatal. Recognizing the urgent need for appropriate feline blood availability, the Portuguese organization Banco de Sangue Animal (BSA) plans to set up the UK's first feline blood bank and is calling on cat owners to register their pets as donors.

Working in collaboration with BSA, Samantha Taylor, and her team aim to provide a resource for veterinary practices across the UK.

The Royal Veterinary College currently operates a transfusion service but does not serve as a dedicated blood bank. The criteria for feline blood donation, as set out by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, include a minimum weight of 5kg, a pre-donation cardiac assessment, and blood pressure checks.

Donors are restricted to having only 10% of their total blood volume taken, ensuring their safety. Unlike dogs, cats cannot be sedated during the donation process, making it important to find cats with the right temperament for the medical procedure.

The BSA, which has successfully operated animal blood banks in Portugal, Spain, and Belgium, has obtained authorization from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to establish a non-food animal blood bank in the UK. Their expertise in collecting donations safely and efficiently, with minimal stress to donor cats, makes them an ideal partner for UK veterinary practices, boosting the medical care available for furry companions in the UK.

Dr. Jenny Helm, a trustee of the charity Pet Blood Bank UK, emphasized the significant need for a feline blood bank in the UK, particularly with the unavailability of alternative blood products that were previously used.

"[The BSA bank] will benefit so many cats across the country that will be able to access blood products at any time of day just like dogs can, just like people can," Dr. Helm underlined.