At Mission and Overland Park Veterinary Emergency & Specialty, we often witness incredible acts of compassion between humans and their pets. But occasionally, the compassion comes from one animal to another. This was the case with Ghost, a cat whose life was saved thanks to a blood transfusion from a very special donor—Velcro, one of our team members’ cats.

Ghost, a sweet feline, was brought to our Overland Park hospital after her owner noticed she had been acting lethargic and weak for a few days. Normally an active cat who enjoyed playing with her favorite toys, Ghost was no longer showing interest, had stopped eating well, and even began howling in pain during normal activities like going up and down stairs. Her owner was understandably concerned.

After an initial visit to her regular veterinarian, Ghost’s blood work revealed some troubling signs. Her red blood cell count was dangerously low, a condition that can indicate a serious issue such as Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) or Precursor Immune-Mediated Anemia (PIMA). These conditions can cause a cat’s immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy its own red blood cells. Given Ghost’s rapid decline, her veterinarian recommended a blood transfusion to stabilize her until further diagnostics could be performed.

Ghost was transferred to our Overland Park hospital for more immediate care. Upon evaluation, her hematocrit (HCT) level, which measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood, was only 10%—critically low. Ghost needed a transfusion and fast. Unfortunately, our hospital had no pre-packaged feline blood products available that matched her type.

Ghost’s blood type, AB, is quite rare. Cats with type AB can receive type A blood, but a cross-match with our in-house blood bags was unsuccessful. With time running out, we knew we had to act quickly.

That’s when Velcro, a team member’s beloved cat, stepped up. Velcro was a match for Ghost, and with his owner’s permission, we prepared him to donate the blood needed to save her life. Ghost’s transfusion was scheduled for later that evening, and thanks to Velcro’s life-saving donation, the procedure went smoothly.

Ghost was closely monitored throughout the transfusion for any signs of an adverse reaction, but everything went as planned. By the next day, she was showing signs of improvement—more alert and stable, thanks to Velcro’s generous gift.

After the transfusion, Ghost’s owner could transfer her back to their regular veterinarian for further diagnostics and care. Her road to recovery isn’t over yet, but Ghost now has a fighting chance thanks to the quick actions of our team and the incredible bond between two cats who may have never met but whose lives are forever connected.

What is IMHA/PIMA?

Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) and Precursor Immune-Mediated Anemia (PIMA) are both serious conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks red blood cells or their precursors in the bone marrow. Without enough red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body, animals can become very ill, very quickly. In many cases, blood transfusions are necessary to stabilize the patient before further treatment can begin.

The Importance of Feline Blood Donation

Just like in human medicine, blood donations from healthy pets can make the difference between life and death for another animal. At our hospital, we maintain a list of potential blood donors—healthy, well-cared-for animals like Velcro—who can step in during emergencies. We are so grateful to our team member and Velcro for making it possible to save Ghost.

This story is a reminder of how precious life is and how important community—whether human or animal—can be in times of need.

If you’re interested in learning more about feline blood donation or want to find out if your cat could be a lifesaving donor, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!