Two dangerously sick kittens’ lives were saved after vets gave their mother cat an emergency blood transfusion.

Moggy Merf was rushed into the animal charity’s hospital in Colliers Wood with her four-week-old kittens Shirley and Teddy after they became seriously ill last month.

The pair had become anaemic after being infested by fleas because their bodies were so small they could not cope with being fed on by so many parasites, which made their red blood cell counts drop to dangerous levels.

After tests revealed she was a positive blood match, The Blue Cross Animal Rescue gave the mother cat a successful emergency transfusion.

After five days in hospital, Merf and her kittens were allowed to return home to relieved owner Louise Heron, 18, from Mitcham.

Miss Heron said: “I am so thankful for what The Blue Cross has done and I am ecstatic to have them home.

“I didn’t realise this could happen and I urge anyone with a pet to get them treated for fleas. It would be horrible to lose kittens or a cat through something like this.”

Louise Newman, a vet nurse at the donation-funded charity, said: “There was no guarantee a blood donation would be enough to save their lives, but we had to try.”

She added: “This mum gave the gift of life to her kittens this Christmas – they’re lucky to be alive.

This case shows how important it is to make sure your pets are regularly treated for fleas as they can lead to serious infections and even death.”

The effects of the transfusion only last up to 48 hours but it was hoped Teddy and Shirley’s mother’s blood would give them enough time and strength for their bodies to recover so they could feed again.

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