Feline Blood Groups & Blood Transfusion Supervisor: Dr. Neshat Compiler : Sina Taefehshokr Veterinary Medicine Faculty Islamic Azad University Tabriz Branch, Iran
Blood Types (Overview) Only 1 blood groups system, the AB system A, B, and AB Blood group antigens (Specific carbohydrates on erythrocyte membranes) A B AB N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid N-acetyl-neuraminic acid Both
Determination of blood groups Genes (single pair) Gene for group A dominant to the gene for group B.
More recently a second important blood group system has been identified in cats. Mik red cell antigen New feline blood group Cats may be Mik positive or Mik negative Mik transfusions may also cause reactions The frequency and significance of this not entirely clear at present, although it appears some incompatibility reactions can be severe. Clinical importance: The absence of this novel Mik red cell antigen can be associated with naturally occurring anti-mik antibodies and can elicit an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction after an AB-matched blood transfusion. (Weinstein et al. 2007)
Blood Groups frequency among Cat breeds 1. Breeds with only type A or a low frequency of type B (less than 10%) American Shorthair, Bengal, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest, Oriental Shorthair, Siamese, Tonkinese 2. Breeds with an intermediate frequency of type B cats (10-25%) Abyssinian, Birman, Burmese, Himalayan, Persian, Somali 3. Breeds with a high frequency of type B cats (more than 25%) British Shorthair, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Exotic, Ragdoll, Turkish Angora, Turkish Van
Blood group incompatibility Blood group B Blood group A Blood group AB high levels of anti-a antibodies naturally-occurring anti-b antibodies None Immune system (Ab) Type B cat were to receive blood from a type A donor could cause a severe and even fatal reaction because the immune system would recognize the type A blood as Ag' and attack it. Cats may be Mik positive or Mik negative and incompatible Mik transfusions may also cause reactions
Neonatal Isoerythrolysis Queen blood group B Tom cat blood group A Kitten blood group A Kitten blood group A + Anti-A antibodies Destruction of kitten s RBC or NI
Feline Blood Groups Type B cats have high anti-a antibodies Type A cats have weak anti-b antibodies, meaning that if transfused with B blood they will have a mild reaction to the blood and the RBCs will have a half-life of 29 to 39 days. Type B cats receiving type A blood; RBCs will be rapidly destroyed within a few minutes to hours. These cats will have severe reactions possibly followed by death. Type AB cats can receive either A or B blood with little to no clinical reactions.
Crossmatching A laboratory test that predicts a transfusion recipient s response to a donor s RBCs and plasma by detecting any serum (plasma) incompatibility between the donor and the recipient. This is a two part test. Dogs do not have naturally occurring antibodies against blood types they lack, like cats do. It is more important to crossmatch than to blood type a canine recipient before transfusion.
Blood Crossmatching Procedure Step 1 Step 2 MAJOR crossmatch Donor Blood + Recipient Plasma Positive Test=Macro or Macroagglutination ( Incompatible ) present Negative Test=Micro or Microagglutination Absent (Compatible) MINOR crossmatch Recipient Blood + Donor Plasma Positive Test=Macro or Macroagglutination ( Incompatible ) present Negative Test=Micro or Microagglutination Absent (Compatible)
Macroagglutination Microagglutination with Rouleaux formation
Ideal Feline Blood Donors Disease free/in good health Current on vaccines Heartworm neg. Good temperament 8 lbs or more but not overweight Minimal PCV of 35%
Acute Blood Transfusion Reactions Hyperthermia Facial swelling Vomiting Agitation Tachycardia Vocalizing Tachypnea Hypotension Weakness Hemoglobinemia Muscle tremors Hemoglobinuria Although acute reactions are rare, they are considered The most serious!
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride may be administered to the patient 30 minutes prior to transfusion to reduce the risk of blood transfusion reactions. What is the Common name For this drug? Antihistamines
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