Thanks to dogs like Olivia, the world is a dog-help-puppy place. Saving lives is nothing new to the dog. She spends her days giving people and pets vital care and comfort as a registered therapy dog at DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital in Portland, Oregon.
Earlier this year, Olivia went above and above the call of duty to assist a 5-month-old dog in need. Jaxon, the puppy, had a potentially fatal case of rodenticide poisoning when he came to DoveLewis.
He was diagnosed with coagulopathy, a disorder that inhibits healthy blood coagulation and can be brought on by rodenticide poisoning, because of his lethargy and symptoms of uncontrollable, irregular bleeding.
Jaxon was rapidly losing blood, and every second that went by made his condition worse. DoveLewis had to administer an emergency blood transfusion to the puppy before treating him. Fortunately, Olivia shared Jaxon’s blood type and was willing to take on the duty.
In order to give Jaxon the best chance of survival, the therapy dog bravely and composedly sat for an emergency blood draw. Veterinarians hurried the blood to Jaxon after she finished donating.
Olivia’s contribution was crucial in protecting the puppy’s early life, according to DoveLewis. Jaxon’s vitals returned to normal after the transfusion, his anemia subsided, and he started to regain the strength he needed to finish his treatment.
“The need for blood products to help sick and injured dogs and cats is very real.” Olivia, whose owner is Grace Epstein, stated, “Healthy dogs like Olivia regularly donate so that patients at DoveLewis can recover and return to their families happy and healthy.” Olivia regularly contributes to the DoveLewis Blood Bank.
Olivia gave blood to a needy pet for the sixteenth time when she gave it to Jaxon. Employees at DoveLewis view Olivia as a superhero and believe that her generosity would encourage other pets and their owners to donate blood.
“Every blood donation is vital, but in emergencies like Jaxon’s, it’s the difference between life and death,” DoveLewis’ blood bank director, Kelsey Reinauer stated. “Thanks to Olivia, we were able to save Jaxon’s life, and she serves as a perfect reminder of how important blood donations are to critically ill pets.”
