Safer blood transfusion for Winston 

A desperately-needed blood transfusion, assisted by a Rumba-funded connecting device, helped save the life of a wounded and severely dehydrated cat.

Winston, a six-year-old long-haired cat was referred to the Emergency Department of the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, having been missing from home for three weeks. He had multiple wounds on his body and was very close to starvation. In such a weak state, poor Winston didn’t have long to live.

He urgently needed a blood transfusion. Feline blood donors are in short supply, but thankfully, Winston’s family volunteered his ‘sister’ Cato to provide the much-needed fluids.
In June 2013, The Rumba Foundation had funded the purchase of a Tube Welder for the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). This device is used in blood laboratories to connect separate sections of PVC tubing in a sterile environment. Thanks to our Tube Welder, Winston’s blood transfusion was a much safer procedure.

After two weeks of intensive nursing care, Winston was discharged to continue his recovery at home. It was a long haul to restore his health but within four months he was back in shape and, according to his family, more affectionate than ever. As a great bonus to the hospital, Cato continued as a donor, to help other cats in need.