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The blood hound

Frank Wood
24/ 7/2008

A GREYHOUND has given a whole new meaning to the slogan "A Dog is for Life" by twice giving blood to another desperately ill dog.

Venis, a seven-year-old greyhound bitch, was given a new home by Christine and John Adams-Fielding five years ago when it failed to make the grade as a racing dog and was sent to rescue kennels in Agecroft.

The couple, who live in Orchard Street, also have an Irish-bred lurcher which they rescued after it was found abandoned on the streets of Barnsley.

A year ago, veterinary surgeon Jane Baines, who heads Heywood Veterinary Centre in Bridge Street, asked the couple if Venis could be used as a blood donor to try to save a dog she was treating.

John said: "We know how heartbreaking it is to lose a pet because we had to have one of our dogs put to sleep when it developed a large tumour.

"It’s nice to know that Venis’s blood has saved another pet."

Now, Venis has been used again to save a dog with a rare condition in which its own immune system devours blood cells.

The blood transfusion has been a success and the couple say they will be happy for Venis to give more blood if it can save the life of someone else’s pet.

Jane Baines said: "A greyhound’s blood is particularly good for transfusions because, like that of a thoroughbred race horse, it has a high red-cell count.

"There is a blood bank which vets can use but it is much better if you have someone local who is willing to help, like Mr and Mrs Adams-Fielding, because time is often precious when a dog is very seriously ill.

"The first time Venis gave blood was about a year ago. It helped to prolong the life of a dog I was treating but it later died.

"This time, the dog which was given the blood transfusion has responded really well."

Christine, who takes Venis and lurcher Vinse for long walks every day, said: "Venis may not have made the grade as a racing greyhound, but she’s a winner in every sense of the word."