For the fourth time in the past 2 years, a rescued pit bull in The Pet Rescue Center’s care has provided a blood transfusion for another dog; this one, a patient at Alicia Pet Care Center.
Jagger, a 5 year old male pit bull, was cross-matched and then provided life-saving blood for an 8 year old Shih Tzu mix suffering from severe anemia. In-house lab work confirmed a diagnosis of IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) for the Shih Tzu, a condition where the dog’s immune system attacks its own red blood cells.
Jagger was heavily sedated while he donated 450 ml of whole blood. He was then given subcutaneous fluids and a big lunch (think orange juice and cookies at a blood bank) and was resting comfortably.
The Shih Tzu received the transfusion throughout the afternoon and will have his red cell count checked this evening. He’ll need to be re-checked over the next few days, but the doctors are hopeful that his condition will improve.
In 2012, rescued pit bull, Sammy, a former bait dog, provided a life-saving transfusion for a puppy that had ingested rat poison, after he was brought to Alicia Pet Care Center by the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter. Last year, Kara provided blood for a puppy from Coastal German Shepherd Rescue, and Spud provided a blood transfusion for The Pet Rescue Center’s Bobby, who was suffering from a skin infection and was anemic.Jagger, Spud and Kara are all available for adoption at The Pet Rescue Center.
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Please visit www.thepetrescuecenter.org/adopt for more information about these three dogs, as well as the other dogs and cats available for adoption at The Pet Rescue Center.
(Photos of Jagger and Spud courtesy of Ears to Tail Photography. Photo of Kara courtesy of Greyboy Pet Prints.)
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About The Pet Rescue Center
The Pet Rescue Center is a 501c3 non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes pets saved from euthanasia at high-kill shelters and other at-risk situations. These pets are provided with a veterinarian-supervised, temporary sanctuary, while The Pet Rescue Center works to find an adopting family for them. They have successfully saved and adopted out 700 dogs and cats in the past six years. To view their adoptable cats and dogs, to volunteer, or to make a donation, please visit them online at www.thepetrescuecenter.org or call 877.277.7938.
All interested parties must fill out an Adoption Application, which will be reviewed to find the best possible match for the pet and for the interested family. Pets are visited by appointment only, but times are flexible. Please email Kati Winters, Director of Operations, at The Pet Rescue Center, at adopt@thepetrescuecenter.org to arrange a meeting time. The adoption fee is $300 for dogs and $150 for cats, and includes spay/neuter, microchip, flea treatment, deworming, regular veterinary check-ups, and current vaccinations. This fee helps to defray the costs of medical care, supplies, and boarding while the animals are in their care.
The Pet Rescue Center…Rescuing Pets, Creating Families, Saving Lives.
