Three abandoned kittens were found hiding out under a shed in Liverpool, England. They were in sorry shape from their ordeal. They all had the flu which had led to pneumonia. They also had severe conjunctivitis with ulcerations of the eyes. In addition they were infested with fleas and ticks that resulted in anemia and dehydration. One kitten, dubbed Zephyr, was not responding to the eye drops he was given. A more drastic treatment was needed. Enter Harlie, the Great Dane.
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The Rescue Me Animal Sanctuary finally decided to turn to an unusual treatment that uses blood to create eye drops in hopes of saving Zephyr's eyesight. It was a highly unusual treatment that they had heard of but had never tried. It required a dog's blood to create eye drops.
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Though there were several dogs in residence at the shelter, they were disqualified as donors due to age, size, or bad health. So the sanctuary went public with their plea for a canine blood donor. Dog owner Jess Parr heard the news and came forward to offer her Great Dane, Harlie, as a donor.
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Harlie had little experience with cats except for the cat next door who would taunt her from the fence. So being involved in this treatment for a kitten was a bit unusual for her too. When Harlie met Zephyr she turned out to be a gentle giant.
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This revolutionary treatment takes the blood of a healthy big animal, such as a large breed dog, and runs it through a centrifuge to remove the solids such as the blood platelets. The remaining serum is made into eye drops. These drops are then applied to the affected eye. The drops help heal the surface of the eye and keeps the tissue from breaking down.
“I just wanted to help really and I did ask the vet if they were sure dog blood would work, but apparently it does which is great," said Parr.
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With Zephyr recovering nicely it was finally time to introduce him to the dog. It was the Great Dane who was nervous about this not-so-blind date. The two make an adorable couple. Parr commented “We were a bit worried about how Harlie would react to Zephyr. She has never met a cat in person, except for the one next door that walks up and down the garden fence just out of reach taunting her. Harlie is a big clumsy dog but when she was with Zephyr she was so gentle, it was almost like her maternal instinct kicked in."
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Zephyr and his brothers will soon be together again as they head to a new home and the proper life of a cat.
Sources: Express, Mirror, Daily Mail
