“It’s about saving lives”

In your opinion, what are the most important three things cat owners need to know about prevention?
Preventive health care defines my practice. My advice to families is that prevention is always better than treatment. Here are my three key tips:

1. Vaccination is the most important thing for cats: rabies, feline leukemia, and other vaccines that immunize against major infectious diseases are essential. 
2. Test your cat’s blood type. If you know your cat’s blood type, you can react more promptly and accurately if your cat ever needs a transfusion. 
3. Internal and external parasites must be avoided. Fleas are the most common parasites. It is important to know that fleas and other parasites may transmit diseases, and some of those diseases may even cause death. 

Why did you decide to found the Banco de Sangre Felino (BSF)? 
I believe healthcare innovation means creating new opportunities for patients and their families. It is about saving lives. When I was a student, I gained work experience in many vet clinics, with seasoned professionals. I noticed that every time a cat required a transfusion, we were at a loss for very important tools: there were no protocols and no prepared donors. At the time I thought “I have to do it! I have to create a blood bank!” It was a great opportunity to innovate in a field that was uncharted, at least on a local level. And now, BSF is celebrating its 10-year anniversary!

Alexis examining a feline patient at his clinic, the Banco de Sangre Felino

What happens at your blood bank? How do you go about helping cats?
The majority of cats that require a blood transfusion at my clinic suffer from feline leukemia (FeLV). This disease can cause immunosuppression, making a cat susceptible to concurrent illnesses. These can be respiratory illness, cancer, lymphoma, bacteria, and viral diseases. It’s very important to treat these. Transfusions may be particularly helpful when the cat is anemic. Subtypes of FeLV can cause severe anemia. Bone marrow may be affected. An infected cat may no longer be able to produce red blood cells or there may be other diseases destroying those cells. In these cases, transfusions can be necessary. Ultimately, this may save a cat’s life.

Feline blood transfusions are a healthcare need nowadays. In my practice, at the BSF blood bank, there are two groups of patients, the donors and the recipients. The family of the donor makes the important decision to come regularly to donate blood. In exchange, they receive a full health plan at the clinic for the donor – for free. Donor cats have to comply with a number of requirements to make sure they are healthy. The recipients are any cats that require a blood transfusion. For them, it may be a life-saving procedure.

How has the blood bank transformed feline care in your region?
In the city of Buenos Aires, where I live, the BSF blood bank has saved lives of many cats. It has transformed the lives and the hopes of their families, who are distraught by the condition of their loved cat. The demand is so high that I feel we can never supply for every cat in need. But I do feel that by saving lives, we make such a great difference to cats and their families.

As a veterinarian, what innovations in the space of cat health would you like to see in the future?
In the future, I would expect every city to have a blood bank for cats. It is an existing healthcare need. I would love to see initiatives like mine growing in every city. Another innovation I would like to see is the consolidation of vet clinics specialized in cats. The healthcare of cats requires an approach that is different from that of dogs; cat owners feel more at ease when the clinic they visit is specialized in cats only.

Apart from preventive care, what can cat owners actively do to keep their cat healthy?
I cannot stress it enough, prevention is key! Apart from it, I recommend giving them the best food possible, a healthcare plan that is adequate for their stage in life (from kitten to senior), and regular visits to the vet. It is important that vets give as much information as possible to the family, so they can care for the cat properly and make good healthcare choices on their behalf.