In feline medicine, there are aspects that are unknown to many caregivers, but essential for the health of cats. One of them is blood type, a genetic characteristic that not only influences transfusion compatibility but can also determine the survival of newborn kittens.
At a time when More and more families live with petsunderstanding these particularities becomes essential to guarantee your well-being. In this regard, International Cat Care, an organization dedicated to the protection and well-being of cats, recalls that “There are three main blood groups in cats: A, B and AB.“.
“Group A is the most common in the feline population, while group B occurs relatively frequently in some purebred breeds“, they explain on their website. “The AB group is unusual in all known breeds.”
What should I do if my cat needs a blood transfusion?
Blood compatibility is a crucial issue in feline medicine. The association warns that “Cats that receive a blood transfusion with the wrong blood type may develop a serious and life-threatening reaction“.
It is for this reason that before any transfusion, it is essential to identify the blood group of the animal. International Cat Care also notes that “there may be other blood group variations besides the AB system“, still impossible to detect by tests, requiring close monitoring of any transfusion.
According to the organization, “A cat’s blood type is determined genetically” and depends, in general, on a single pair of genes in which the allele of group A dominates that of group B. Group AB, on the other hand, “is inherited independently, and the AB gene appears to be dominant over gene B, but recessive against gene A”.
Before transfusion, all breeds must have a blood type test
Typing tests are carried out in veterinary clinics or in external laboratories and, as the source states, “they are generally very reliable.” In emergency situations, When the blood group cannot be determined, there is the possibility cross match. “Compatibility between two cats can also be checked by mixing donor and recipient blood in the clinic to detect a reaction before transfusion,” they explain.
Some breeds have a higher prevalence of Type B, such as the British Shorthair, Burmese and Devon Rex, while Siamese tend to be Type A. Nonetheless, the organization’s recommendation is clear: “Before the transfusion, all breeds must have a blood type test. ».
The real risk of incompatibility
Feline transfusions can save lives, but they are also dangerous if the blood is not compatible. The association emphasizes that “Type A or B cats should receive a donation from a cat with the same blood type, otherwise they could suffer a life-threatening reaction.“.
Group B cats have “high levels of anti-A antibodies in their blood”, meaning that if a type B sample is given type A blood, their immune system will identify it as foreign and “could cause a serious (or even fatal) reaction“. Some cats in group A also have anti-B antibodies, with the same risk of severe reaction.
This phenomenon of incompatibility can also affect newborn kittens. All antibodies present in the mother’s blood pass into milk and colostrum. While this protects puppies from disease, in some cases it poses a threat.
International Cat Care explains that if a Group B female is nursing Group A kittens, they “will absorb anti-A antibodies“during the first 24 hours of life, which can destroy their red blood cells”as if there had been an incompatible transfusion“. This condition, called neonatal isoerythrolysisis a significant cause of early mortality in certain breeds.
“The majority of affected kittens will stop nursing, become weak, appear pale and may have jaundice (yellowing of the skin),” the organization explains. “The appearance of red urine is also common, due to the presence of hemoglobin, and even sudden death.”
Type A or B cats should receive a donation from a cat with the same blood type, otherwise they could suffer a life-threatening reaction.
Once the antibodies are absorbed, “it is very difficult to treat the problem“. In cases detected early, kittens should be removed from the mother within their first 24 hours of life to prevent them from continuing to ingest antibodies. In theory, a transfusion can be performed, but International Cat Care warns that “the problem is usually recognized too late.”
To avoid the neonatal isoerythrolysisespecially in purebred breeds where groups A and B coexist, it is essential to know the blood group of cats intended for breeding. Various strategies can be adopted, including prevent certain mating combinations or manage lactation.
In these cases, “Type A kittens cannot suckle colostrum from a Type B mother for the first 24 hours of their life and will need to be hand-reared or placed with a Type A foster mother,” according to the organization. “After this period, they can return to their mother without risk, since they stop absorbing antibodies through the digestive tract.
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