Max is recovering from a severe anaemia caused by a flea infestation. The severity was in fact so great that Max had to have an emergency blood transfusion, and his coat was completely shaved off.

Fleas are a blood sucking parasite and in sufficient numbers can deplete the number of red blood cells circulating in the body. The very prolonged warm spell we are having is causing flea numbers to rise exponentially. Each flea can lay up to 50 eggs daily and these can hatch within 14 days in hot weather. Although it is extremely unusual for a pet to be parasitised by fleas to this extent it is  a warning to us all to maintain flea and all anti-parasite control this summer.