Pebble’s Story: How the RVC’s Blood Donor of the Year helped save her life
When Pebble became unwell, a visit to the vet revealed that her red blood cell count had dropped significantly, and she would require emergency treatment. Pebble’s owners, Layla and Ciaran, brought her to the RVC Small Animal Referrals Hospital the same day. Thanks to a blood donation from Theo, our 2025 Feline Blood Donor of the Year, Pebble received the care she needed to begin her recovery. We spoke to Layla and Ciaran about their experience, the treatment Pebble received at the RVC, and the impact of our Blood Donor Programme.
Could you tell us a little about Pebble’s condition and the treatment she received at the RVC? 
Pebble has always been an energetic and playful cat, so when she started to lose interest in scampering up and down the hallway after her plastic spring and bounding into the kitchen for food, we began to grow worried. A visit to the vet as she became increasingly lethargic confirmed that her red blood cell count had dropped precipitously, and she would need emergency treatment.
We brought her to RVC that day. A more detailed examination revealed the most likely cause was PIMA, and that a transfusion would almost certainly be necessary. The RVC staff were diligent in talking us through Pebble’s prognosis and the next steps. They made sure we understood the details as we got our heads around the assessment. Their empathy was very welcome as we grasped the severity of Pebble’s situation.
It was an emotional evening for us when we got home and realized how hollow our apartment suddenly felt without her. We had become so accustomed to her gentle meowing and the feeling of her playfully brushing her tail against us that our anxiety over her transfusion felt all the more acute.
Thankfully the procedure was a success, and over the next few days RVC called us to keep us informed of her progress. A sense of relief as we heard higher and higher numbers – from 6% all the way up to 42% – began to take hold. With the subsequent news that the staff were happy to discharge her, we considered how fortunate we were that someone had made the donation that brought Pebble back from the brink without even knowing her.
A long course of steroids and immunosuppressants followed, which thankfully ended with one last blood test showing a healthy count. Since then, we’ve taken delight every day she cleans her plate in record time, or wakes us up for playtime in the middle of the night!
Did you know about our Blood Donor Programme before Pebble’s treatment?
We hadn’t been aware of it before, but we are immeasurably thankful for the dedication of the people who make it a reality, and for the generosity of the donors. We feel incredibly lucky that the programme was there for Pebble when she needed it.
Is there anything you would like to say to or share with Theo’s family, knowing their cat helped Pebble?
It’s difficult to describe how grateful we are for Theo’s family and their decision to donate. Pebble is precious to us beyond words, and seeing her healthy again brings us incredible joy. We would very much like for Theo’s family to know of the enormous impact they have made in our lives.
How is Pebble doing after her treatment? Pebble is a warm and loving cat who, despite being a little shy with strangers at first, is always excited to show her affection. She’s been doing great since coming home – our downstairs neighbours who probably hear her racing around our apartment in the early hours could undoubtedly confirm!
What would you say to other pet owners about the importance of animal blood donors?
The onset of Pebble’s anaemia was swift and caught us by surprise. With so much at stake and such a narrow window to get the necessary treatment, it’s vital that blood is available when it’s needed.
A lasting thank you to Theo, our Feline Blood Donor of the Year – who donated the blood that helped save Pebble’s life. Thanks to heroes like Theo, and to the generous owners who enrol their pets in our Blood Donor Programme, animals like Pebble are given a second chance at life. To find out more about the programme, visit our Blood Donor page here.