Rutherford County Sheriff K9 Receives Blood Transfusion - Helpful Donor Now Up for Adoption!

Sep 12, 2013 at 08:32 am by bryan


Buddy, a dog waiting to be adopted, is a hero after he donated blood and probably saved the life of Ely, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s K-9, said veterinarian Dr. Sara Covert of Williams Animal Hospital.

Ely, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois breed, is recovering at the animal hospital after he collapsed in the 90-plus degree heat Sunday while tracking a suspect who fled after a shooting.

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Veterinarian technician Katie Love checked K-9 Ely’s blood level Tuesday and discovered his platelets were low. The staff obtained blood from Buddy to transfuse into K-9 Ely Tuesday night.

Dr. Covert said K-9 Ely improved after the transfusion.

“Ely continues to improve,” Dr. Covert said. “He’s eating well. We’re still monitoring him and rechecking his blood. Everything else is stabilized. We’re all ecstatic.”

K-9 Sgt. Lee Young, who partners with K-9 Ely, grinned as the dog wagged his tail and responded.

“He has turned the curve,” Sgt. Young said. “He wants to play.”

Sheriff Robert Arnold said on the eve of the 9-11 terrorists’ attacks 12 years ago, Buddy’s actions reminded him of some 300 K-9s that searched for human remains at the World Trade Center towers in New York City.

“Some of those trained search and rescue dogs suffered injuries during their mission to find victims,” Sheriff Arnold said. “Like those dogs, Buddy sacrificed his blood to keep K-9 Ely alive.”

Technician Love said she was scared about K-9 Ely’s condition Tuesday but knew he was OK Wednesday morning when he sat up and looked at her.

“I was very happy to see him,” Love said, adding, K-9 Ely has more energy.

Buddy’s previous owners gave him up because he couldn’t get along with their smaller dogs. Buddy is up for adoption with the recommendation he be placed in a home as the only dog.

“He’s our little hero right now,” Love said.

Source

Rutherford County Sheriff's Office

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