Blood Groups Flashcards
What are the three feline blood types
A, B, AB
Which is the most common feline blood type
Blood type A. 90% of cats have it
What is special about blood type B
Exotics, British shorthair, Cornish and Devon Rex have a high incidence of the B blood type. Siamese, Burmese, Russian blue, Oriental shorthair do not have type B blood.
What percentage of cats have type AB blood
Less than 1%
Describe what cats with type A blood
Cats with type A blood have low titre antibodies to type B antigens
Describe cats with type B blood
Have high titre antibodies to type a antigens
Describe cats with AB blood
Have both a and B antigens and do not have antibodies to type a or B blood.
What is neonatal isoerythrolysis
Immune mediated hemolytic anemia due to ingestion of maternal colostral antibodies directed against surface antigens on neonatal red blood cells. Type to hypersensitivity reaction causing extravascular and intravascular hemolysis during first few days of life.
What kittens are affected with feline neonatal isoerythrolysis
Kittens with type a blood drawn colostrum from a mother with type B blood. Antibodies from colostrum are absorbed and bind to kittens red blood cells and destroy them.
What are early clinical signs of isoerythrolysis
Pigmenturia (dark red brown urine). Anemia, jaundice and depression.
What are the probable causes of death in feline neonatal isoerythrolysis
Immune mediated hemolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal failure anemia
What happens if the kittens are removed from their mother as soon as the first clinical signs develop
The mortality rate will still be high. Kittens can be returned to their mother after three days because there will be no more colostrum At that point
How can you prevent feline neonatal isoerythrolysis
Prevent incompatible matings between type B mothers and type A fathers. Cord blood can be used to determine the kittens blood type.
What do you do before blood transfusion
Blood typing or cross matching of the recipient and donor should be done to avoid the likelihood of a transfusion reaction.
What is important in blood transfusions in cats
Previously unsensitized cats type a and B have naturally occurring alloantibodies to the opposite blood type. Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions a cure particularly in cats with type B transfused with type A blood.
