Reunited: Bruno, left, and Max play together a year after a blood transfusion from Max helped save the life of seven year old BrunoA dog has been reunited at Christmas with the canine hero that saved his life a year ago by donating blood.
Last December, Bruno the cocker spaniel had just hours to live when he was rushed into pet hospital.
The seven-year-old was fighting a life-threatening condition in which his healthy red blood cells were being destroyed by his white blood cells.
His only chance of survival was to quickly find a suitable blood donor at the veterinary charity PDSA's hospital in Blackpool, Lancashire.
Jen Jackson, senior veterinary surgeon at Blackpool PDSA Pet Aid Hospital with Bruno, left, and Max'The odds of finding and getting the donor dog into the hospital for the transfusion within the short space of time we had were very much against us,' said PDSA (the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) senior vet Jennifer Jackson.
Luckily a suitable donor came forward in Max the labrador, that had an operation at the same hospital when he was younger to remove a blockage in his gut.
His owner, Luke McGarry, from Blackpool, wanted to repay the charity for their assistance then and allowed the four-year-old to give 250ml - just under half a pint - of blood to help Bruno fight back against the disease.
Christmas present: Bruno, left, and Max get ready to eat a treat'Bruno was kept in intensive care for a couple of days afterwards to closely monitor his condition.
'Happily, he responded well and was allowed to return home.
'It's always wonderful when cases have a happy ending and our sincere thanks go to Luke and Max for coming to the rescue.'
Bruno's owner Stephen Metcalf, 50, from Blackpool, said: 'I've had Bruno since he was eight weeks old and he is such a big softie.
'He had been lethargic and not himself, and when I noticed the blood in his urine I knew something was wrong so I took him to be checked out at PDSA. I was stunned when they told me what was wrong - it really came out of the blue.
Together again: (Left to right) Bruno's owners Stephen Metcalfe and Laura Thain, Bruno (grounded), black Labrador Max, and Jen Jackson'I can't thank Jennifer and PDSA enough. They are fantastic people and I can't express how grateful I am. I'm also indebted to Max and his owner Luke - if it wasn't for them, Bruno wouldn't be here today.
'His condition can come back at any time but I'm just glad for the extra time I've been given with him.'
Both dogs were in fine fettle when they met up at the hospital a year on following the blood transfusion.
Fit-again Bruno celebrated Christmas with a new bed, while his life-saving friend earned a new ball and his favourite dog chews.
Blackpool PDSA PetAid hospital provides free veterinary treatment for the sick and injured pets of eligible owners in need.
The charity relies on donations from the public to fund its vital services, which costs more than £700,000 a year to run.
source: dailymail
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