A Great Dane who didn’t like cats has stopped a kitten going blind by donating blood used in sight-saving eye drops.
Harlie, who weighs around nine stone, put her best paw forward to give blood used to treat rescue cat Zephyr.
Vets treated the eight-week-old kitten with serum drops which used elements of Harlie’s blood after it has been separated using a centrifuge.
Harlie the Great Dane (pictured left) saved Zephyr the kitten (pictured right) from going blind
The liquid part of the blood is made into drops which help the surface of the eye to heal and stop the tissue breaking down.
Rescuers feared the worst for Zephyr but her sight has now been saved thanks to her huge donor friend Harlie.
Steph Taylor, from charity Rescue Me Animal Sanctuary, said Zephyr was found with three siblings under a shed in Norris Green, Liverpool.
When vets in Liverpool rescued Zephyr (pictured) she was suffering flu, fleas, conjunctivitis and ulcerated eyes
She said: ‘They were all full of flu which had led to secondary pneumonia, horrific conjunctivitis with ulcerated eyes, ticks, severe flea infestation leading to anaemia and dehydration.
‘The serum from Harlie was fairly unusual for us to use and we have never done it before, there are several types of conventional medicated drops and we used these first but as Zephyr was not responding to these, our vet suggested it.
‘We had heard of it once before when another rescue spoke about it and they had amazing results.
‘We have four dogs at our HQ but sadly none were suitable blood donors due to their size, age or health problems so we had to turn to the public for help* and along came Harlie.’
Harlie’s owner Jess Parr, 30, from Liverpool, said she wanted to help but at first she feared Harlie wasn’t used to cats and it might not be a good idea for her to meet Zephyr in person.
She said: ‘I love cats and would love to have one, if I didn’t have four dogs. I see how much Rescue Me does to help cats and kittens in need so that was a way I felt I could give back to help.’
Ms Taylor said now Zephyr has healed he will be rehomed with his two brothers next weekend.
She failed to respond to normal treatment, so in a last-ditch attempt to save her sight, vets suggested they use blood from a dog
After Harlie’s donation, Zephyr is back in good health, says experts looking after her
Harlie weighs around nine stone but is pictured getting on swimmingly with his tiny new friend
Harlie’s (pictured) owner Jess Parr, 30, from Liverpool, said she wanted to help the kitten but at first she feared Harlie wasn’t used to cats and it might not be a good idea for her to meet Zephyr in person. The two got on well and are pictured together