FINDING the right blood type for a transfusion is not usually a major problem with blood banks in most hospitals.

But the situation is more troublesome for eight-year-old Slick.

The cross spaniel collie has red blood cell asplasia, which means its bone marrow is not producing enough red blood cells and its immune system is destroying them.

Slick is on a six-month course of steroids and needs blood transfusions every three weeks as part of the treatment.

But since the pooch was diagnosed with the illness at the beginning of October, a specialist animal hospital and the family vet have had trouble finding donors with a negative blood group.

This has led his owner Kay Beavis, 33, of Piquet Road, Anerley, to appeal for people to have their dogs tested to see if they are a match.

Supermarket cashier Mrs Beavis said: "There aren't many donor dogs about in our area and we need animals to help save Slick's life.

"Both the vet and the hospital have a few donors on their books but nowhere near enough to satisfy demand because it will be needing frequent donations during the course of its treatment."

The mother-of-one added: "Friends have volunteered their dogs but all turned out to have a positive blood group.

"We desperately need help as without the transfusions Slick will not survive the treatment, which if successful could give it a further eight years of life.

"Slick is a wonderful animal and deserves a chance."

The dog's vet, Julia Bowdler, says greyhounds and lurchers make the best donors because their blood types are compatible with most dogs.

Large hounds including deerhounds, Irish wolfhounds, and elkhounds also have a good chance of matching Slick's blood type.

Call Ashton Veterinary Surgery on 020 8654 3887 and mention the appeal to donate blood.