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==Introduction==

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Cats and dogs have very different blood grouping systems. Cats have an A-B blood group system and inherit blood types as a simple dominant trait where A is dominant over B.  

Cats and dogs have very different blood grouping systems. Cats have an A-B blood group system and inherit blood types as a simple dominant trait where A is dominant over B.  

==Alloantibodies==

==Alloantibodies==

Both the blood donor and recipient should always be blood typed prior to transfusion. This is especially important in cats due to the occurence of alloantibodies. Commercial in house kits are convienient or reference laboratories often provide blood typing services.

Both the blood donor and recipient should always be blood typed prior to transfusion. This is especially important in cats due to the occurrence of alloantibodies. Commercial in house kits are convenient or reference laboratories often provide blood typing services.

Group A cats have low titres of anti-B antibodies hence giving group A cats group B blood will cause destruction of red blood cells and a mild transfusion reaction.

Group A cats have low titres of anti-B antibodies hence giving group A cats group B blood will cause destruction of red blood cells and a mild transfusion reaction.

Group B cats have high titres of anti-A antibodies and giving group B cats type A blood can result in a potentially fatal transfusion reaction.  

Group B cats have high titres of anti-A antibodies and giving group B cats type A blood can result in a potentially fatal transfusion reaction.  

Type AB cats do not have anti A or B alloantibodies and can recieve type A/B or A blood.  

Type AB cats do not have anti A or B alloantibodies and can receive type A/B or A blood.  

Blood group incompatilibility in Cats

Blood group incompatilibility in Cats

Additionally [[Neonatal Isoerythrolysis|neonatal isoerythrolysis]] can occur due to the presence of naturally occuring alloantibodies in kittens born to queens who have a different blood type. The kittens ae born healthy but following their first suckle will suffer from anaemia and jaundice which can rapidly progress to death.

Additionally [[Neonatal Isoerythrolysis|neonatal isoerythrolysis]] can occur due to the presence of naturally occuring alloantibodies in kittens born to queens who have a different blood type. The kittens are born healthy but following their first suckle will suffer from [[:Category:Anaemia|anaemia]] and [[Icterus|jaundice]] which can rapidly progress to death.

==Simplified compatibility tests==

==Simplified compatibility tests==

They involve centrifuging 0.5mls of the donors blood and 0.5mls of the recipient blood in EDTA tubes hence separating [[Erythrocytes|red blood cells]] and [[Plasma|plasma]]. Various amounts (as below) are then added together and  blood smears are prepared and examined microscopically.

They involve centrifuging 0.5mls of the donors blood and 0.5mls of the recipient blood in EDTA tubes hence separating [[Erythrocytes|red blood cells]] and [[Plasma|plasma]]. Various amounts (as below) are then added together and  blood smears are prepared and examined microscopically.

   

   

Three tests need to be undertaken  

Three tests need to be undertaken:

1) The major test where 3 drops of plasma from the '''recipient''' and one drop of red blood cells from the '''donor''' are added together left for 1-3 minutes and then examined microscopically.  If this reaction shows there is agglutination the transfusion should not be performed.

1) The major test where 3 drops of <u>plasma</u> from the '''recipient''' and one drop of <u>red blood cells</u> from the '''donor''' are added together left for 1-3 minutes and then examined microscopically.  If this reaction shows there is agglutination the transfusion should not be performed.

2) Minor test where 3 drops of '''donor''' plasma is added to 1 drop of '''recipient''' red blood cells. If agglutination occurs then transfusion can occur but with constant monitoring of the patient.

2) Minor test where 3 drops of '''donor''' <u>plasma</u> is added to 1 drop of '''recipient''' <u>red blood cells</u>. If agglutination occurs then transfusion can occur but with constant monitoring of the patient.

3) A control reaction must also be carried out with 3 drops of '''donor''' plasma and 1 drop of '''donor''' red blood cells. If agglutination occurs then there is an error and the test must be repeated.

3) A control reaction must also be carried out with 3 drops of '''donor''' <u>plasma</u> and 1 drop of '''donor''' <u>red blood cells</u>. If agglutination occurs then there is an error and the test must be repeated.

 

 

 

 

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Transfusion Medicine]]

[[Category:Transfusion Medicine]]

[[Category:Cat]]

[[Category:Cat]]