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Cats have three blood groups: Group A, B or AB.  

Cats have three blood groups: Group A, B or AB.  

Group A which can be either A/A or A/B is the most common blood type of domestic short and long haired cats in the UK.  Group B  which is always B/B is very common in Devon Rex, Persians, British Shorthair, Somali, Himalayan and Birman [[Feline Breeds - WikiNormals|breeds]]. Rarely cats can also be group AB.

Group A which can be either A/A or A/B is the most common blood type of domestic short and long haired cats in the UK.  Group B  which is always B/B is very common in Devon Rex, Persians, British Shorthair, Somali, Himalayan and Birman [[Feline Breeds - WikiNormals|breeds]]. Rarely cats can also be group AB.

==Autoantibodies==

==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 autoantibodies. Commercial in house kits are convienient or 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 occurence of alloantibodies. Commercial in house kits are convienient or laboratories often provide blood typing services.

Group A cats have low titres of anti-B antibodies.

Group A cats have low titres of anti-B antibodies.

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

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.

==Simplified compatibility tests==

==Simplified compatibility tests==

Time is needed to determine full compatibility between the donor and recipient. This is not always possible in the emergency situation. In these cases it is possible to undertake simplified compatibility tests.

Time is needed to determine full compatibility between the donor and recipient. This is not always possible in the emergency situation and in these cases it is possible to undertake simplified compatibility tests. These tests can be performed in minutes however are much less reliable.

These tests can be performed in minutes however are much less reliable.

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