Fudge & Lily: A Life-Saving Moment

On 4/5/2025, we had a long and intense day at Soulmates Vet. The morning was packed with back-to-back cases, but the real urgency came at night. A 4-year-old Beagle named Fudge was brought in as an emergency, with heavy nose bleeding. His hemoglobin had dropped to 3, and his platelet count was just 12,000. He was severely anemic and needed an immediate blood transfusion.

In veterinary medicine, transfusions aren't straightforward — dogs have different blood types under the DEA (Dog Erythrocyte Antigen) system, and compatibility is key. We performed both major and minor cross-match tests to ensure safety.

Thankfully, Lily — our healthy and calm Cocker Spaniel — turned out to be a compatible donor. Once all checks were clear, she donated blood for Fudge.

The transfusion went well, and Fudge began showing signs of improvement — more energy, better vitals, and a little spark in his eyes. He slowly got better after completing his course of medicine. Now, he is doing well and back to his normal self.

This case is a reminder that dogs too need blood donors. Canine blood donation is safe, well-monitored, and can be life-saving — just like it was for Fudge.

If you’d like to know more about registering your dog as a donor or have questions about transfusions, feel free to reach out to us.

At Soulmates Vet, we’re here for every paw in need. 🐾♥️