The Feline AB Blood Group System and its Importance in Transfusion Medicine

The feline blood group system was first characterised in 1962 following the identification of two major blood types (designated A and B) (Eyquem et al 1962). One blood group system with three types (A, B and AB) has since been identified (Auer & Bell 1981). Naturally occurring antibodies against foreign blood types in the cat are responsible for the premature destruction of transfused red cells, clinically severe transfusion reactions and neonatal isoerythrolysis. Type A cats given type B blood may develop a mild transfusion reaction that is often not clinically apparent. The recipient’s packed cell volume (PCV) falls to pre-transfusion levels within days of the transfusion (Giger & Bucheler 1991). Type B cats that are transfused with type A blood invariably develop rapid, potentially fatal transfusion reactions following even a single transfusion of a small volume of blood (Auer & Bell 1981). This paper reviews current understanding of feline blood groups and alloantibodies, and their importance in transfusion medicine.

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