Changes

   

   

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 by 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.  

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

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

==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 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 reference laboratories often provide blood typing services.

Group A cats have low titres of anti-B antibodies, 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 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 recieve type A/B or A blood.  

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.

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.

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 [[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 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.

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''' 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.

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''' plasma and 1 drop of '''donor''' red blood cells. If agglutination occurs then there is an error and the test must be repeated.

[[Category:Transfusion Medicine]]

[[Category:Transfusion Medicine]]