Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER

Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER
HomeNewsOllie's second life

Ollie’s second life

A Geelong dog has been given a second chance at life thanks to a Werribee vet and anonymous dog blood donor.

Cass knew something wasn’t right with her four-year-old toy cavoodle Ollie after he spent a day at a groomer.

“I was sitting with him, and I could smell blood,” she said.

“I saw he had a wound on his paw, and that’s when I saw his stomach had lots of little dots that were quite red.

“The spots went down his legs, and one of them was a really deep purple bruise on him.”

Cass took Ollie to the Werribee Greencross Vet Hospital vet, which led her to cancel her trip to Europe to care for her furry friend.

Ollie was diagnosed with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, where the dog’s immune system destroys the body’s platelets (something in the blood that helps prevent bleeding).

“The vet rang me early the day after I admitted Ollie and said he had no red blood cells and no platelets, which means he was anaemic and needed a blood transfusion,” Cass said.

“They had to call an owner to bring their dog to the hospital to give blood as Ollie needed fresh blood, which I am incredibly thankful for.

“After Ollie had the transfusion, vet Liam called me and sent me a little video where he looked much better. That’s quite a personal touch; they were just so compassionate.

“Compared to what he was then to now, there is a huge difference in his condition and he’s very lucky.”

Anyone looking to help Ollie and his family out with his ongoing treatment and medical bills can do so at gofund.me/5c327ec4

Digital Edition
Subscribe

Get an all ACCESS PASS to the News and your Digital Edition with an online subscription

Australia Day fun in Geelong

Community members gathered at Geelong's Steampacket Garden on 26 January for the Australia Day Family Day. Independent photographer Ivan Kemp went along to the...

OAM honours for 11

More News

Wyndham, Geelong back Avalon plan

Geelong and Wyndham councils have announced their Avalon advocacy requests for the November state election. In conjunction with the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Committee...

OAM honours for 11

Eleven people with significant connections to Greater Geelong were recognised with Australia Day honours on 26 January and received a Medal of the Order...

Route change for Surf Coast Classic

Surf Coast Classic women’s and men’s races will start in Torquay instead of Lorne due to bushfire activity and warm weather forecasts. The...

Paramedic concerns as temps rise

Paramedics are urging the community not to leave children, pets or older people unattended in vehicles as temperatures continue to soar following a warm...

Neighbourhood house reveals new program

The Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House is back in full swing, with organisers launching a new February program. Catering to community members of all ages, the...

A bigger than ever Festival of Sails

The nation’s ultimate sailing celebration returned for its 183rd year, as the Festival of Sails ventured into the Geelong waterfront from 24 to 26...

Anthony ready to defend title

Barwon Heads’ Jakara Anthony is aiming to be the first Australian to defend an Olympic title at the Olympic Winter Games in Milano...

Family violence court now open

A dedicated family violence court is now open in Geelong to give victim-survivors of family violence across the region better access to justice and...

Australia Day honours for 15 community members

Fifteen Greater Geelong people have received Australia Day honours. Three - Michael Betts, John Womersley and Dr Gillian Miles - received Member of the Order...

Tobacco license deadline approaching

The state government has issued a final call for tobacco retailers and wholesalers to secure a mandatory licence, with less than two weeks remaining...