Blood typing and haematological analysis of domestic feline donors

Abstract

Blood typing is critical to avoid adverse reactions to transfusions. Felines have three blood-types: A, B, and AB and have natural alloantibodies the opposite blood type, in addition to the Mik type described recently. The presence of alloantibodies is important in the selection of blood donors in order to minimize the occurrence of transfusion reactions, and blood typing is essential in this context. This study aimed to identify blood types and perform a haematological analysis of feline blood donor candidates. Sixty clinically healthy felines of different races, weighing more than four kilograms, and ranging from one to eight years old, were evaluated. After clinical evaluation, blood samples were collected for hemogram and blood typing with the LabTest A+B® immunochromatographic test. All cats had a haematocrit level within normal range (mean: 34.12%), six (10%) presented with leucocytosis and 24 (40%) with thrombocytopenia, reinforcing the importance of haematological monitoring of blood donor animals. Regarding blood typing, all domestic felines selected as blood donors had type A blood. This is the first study on frequencies of feline blood types performed in the region.