Cat blood type information
Cats have three main blood types: A, B, and AB. Here are some details,
Type A: This is the most common blood type, found in approximately 94% to 99% of all domestic cats. Domestic short/medium/long-haired cats, as well as standard house cats, typically have type A blood. Purebred cats like Siamese and Oriental Shorthairs also fall into this category.
Type B: Type B is less common and is usually found in exotic purebred cats. Breeds such as Abyssinian, Japanese Bobtail, Birman, Persian, Scottish Fold, British Shorthair, Cornish Rex, Exotic Shorthair, Somali, Sphynx, Turkish Van, Turkish Angora, and Devon Rex may have type B blood. Cats with type B blood have a higher amount of antibodies against type A blood.
Type AB: The rarest blood type, AB, occurs in less than 1% of cats. Breeds like Birman, British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, Somali, and Sphynx cats can have this unique blood type. Interestingly, cats with AB blood do not have antibodies against either A or B blood.
Unlike humans, there is no universal donor blood type for cats. Before performing a blood transfusion, veterinarians determine a cat’s blood type to ensure compatibility. Giving a cat the wrong blood type can lead to allergic reactions, ranging from mild to severe and potentially life-threatening. Knowing your cat’s blood type is crucial for their health and safety during medical procedures.
Why cat blood typing is essential?
Cat blood typing is important for several reasons, here are some details,
Blood Transfusions: When a cat requires a blood transfusion due to illness, injury, or surgery, knowing their blood type is crucial. Giving a cat the wrong blood type can lead to severe allergic reactions, which may be life-threatening. By identifying the cat’s blood type beforehand, veterinarians can ensure compatibility and provide safe transfusions.
Emergency Situations: In emergencies, such as accidents or sudden illnesses, having prior knowledge of a cat’s blood type allows for quicker decision-making. Veterinarians can promptly administer the correct blood type if needed, potentially saving the cat’s life.
Breeding Programs: Blood typing helps breeders avoid mating cats with incompatible blood types. Breeding two cats with different blood types can result in neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI), a condition where the mother’s antibodies attack the kitten’s blood cells. Identifying blood types prevents such complications.
Preventing Neonatal Isoerythrolysis (NI): In cases where a type B queen (female cat) mates with a type A tom (male cat), their kittens may inherit type B blood. If the queen has antibodies against type B blood, she can transmit them to her kittens through her milk. Blood typing helps prevent NI by ensuring compatible pairings.
Organ Transplants: Although less common, organ transplants (such as kidney transplants) can be performed in cats. Knowing the recipient cat’s blood type is crucial for successful transplantation and minimizing rejection risks.
Health Monitoring: Blood type information can aid in diagnosing certain health conditions. For example, type B cats are more prone to developing feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), so monitoring their health becomes even more critical.
How do we do cat blood typing?
There is no way easier than using a rapid test kit. Check this cat blood type rapid test kit here, it uses a specific lateral flow test technology. Just take one drop of blood and wait for 10min, the result is visible. Even cat owners, cat breeders can run the test.