What are the blood types felines can have?

1. ABO Blood Group System: Similar to the ABO system in humans, cats have three primary blood types in the ABO system: Type A, Type B, and Type AB.

• Type A (Homozygous): This is the most common blood type in domestic cats, and it is considered the universal donor type for feline blood transfusions. Cats with Type A blood can donate to other cats with Type A blood without causing an adverse reaction.

• Type B (Homozygous): This blood type is relatively uncommon and is more frequently found in certain breeds, such as British Shorthairs and Himalayans. Cats with Type B blood can only safely receive blood from other Type B cats or from Type AB cats. Type A blood transfused into a Type B cat can lead to a severe and potentially fatal reaction.

• Type AB (Heterozygous): This is a rare blood type in cats, and cats with Type AB blood can receive blood from either Type A or Type B cats. Type AB cats are considered universal recipients in terms of blood transfusions.

2. Mik Antigen System: The Mik antigen system is a newer discovery and involves another set of blood types in cats: Mik-positive (Mik+) and Mik-negative (Mik-). This system has implications for transfusions and breeding, but its significance is not as widely understood as the ABO system.

Blood Type Inheritance: Blood type inheritance in cats is determined by genetic factors. The ABO blood type is inherited through a relatively simple Mendelian pattern, where Type A is dominant over Type B. This means that a cat with one Type A allele and one Type B allele (AaBb) will have Type A blood since Type A is dominant. Cats with two Type B alleles (BbBb) will have Type B blood.

Blood Transfusions: When a cat requires a blood transfusion, it's crucial to match the donor's blood type with the recipient's blood type to prevent adverse reactions. As mentioned earlier, Type A blood is generally safe for transfusions to most cats, except those with Type B blood. Type B and AB cats should receive blood from donors with the same blood type to avoid complications.

Compatibility and Conflict: Incompatible blood transfusions can lead to a severe immune response known as a transfusion reaction. This reaction occurs when the recipient's immune system recognizes the donor's blood as foreign and launches an attack, causing potentially life-threatening complications such as hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) and kidney damage.

To sum up, feline blood types, primarily determined by the ABO blood group system, play a crucial role in blood transfusions and breeding practices in cats. Understanding these blood types is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of cats receiving blood transfusions and for responsible breeding practices.

If your feline can become a blood donor, please reach out to your vet for more information. I have provided a link that applies to Wisconsin blood donor for felines. This program is amazing, and if you could save a life that would also be amazing. 

1. ABO Blood Group System:

• Type A: Type A is the most common blood type in domestic cats, with approximately 95-99% of cats having this blood type. Cats with Type A blood have naturally occurring antibodies against Type B blood, which means they can have a strong reaction if they receive Type B blood in a transfusion.

• Type B: Type B blood is less common, found in around 1-5% of domestic cats. However, certain breeds, such as the British Shorthair, Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, and some Himalayans, have a higher prevalence of Type B blood. Cats with Type B blood can safely receive Type B or Type AB blood but should not receive Type A blood to prevent a severe transfusion reaction.

• Type AB: Type AB is a rare blood type in cats, occurring in less than 1% of the feline population. Cats with Type AB blood are considered universal recipients, as they can receive both Type A and Type B blood without a severe reaction. This makes them valuable as blood recipients in emergency situations.

2. Mik Antigen System:

• The Mik antigen system is relatively less understood and has a complex inheritance pattern. Cats can be either Mik-positive (Mik+) or Mik-negative (Mik-). This system plays a role in feline blood transfusions, but it is not as widely recognized or tested for as the ABO system.

• Mik-positive cats can receive blood from both Mik-positive and Mik-negative donors without severe reactions, making them universal recipients for Mik antigen compatibility. However, they should still be matched for ABO compatibility.

• Mik-negative cats can only receive blood from Mik-negative donors to avoid potential reactions related to this antigen system.

3. Breeding Considerations:

• Blood type compatibility is essential in breeding to avoid neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI), a condition where a mother cat's antibodies attack and destroy her kittens' red blood cells if they have a blood type different from hers. For example, a Type B queen (female cat) can produce Type A and Type AB kittens, and if she's exposed to their blood during nursing, it can lead to NI.

• Responsible breeding practices often involve knowing the blood types of both the potential mother and father cats to prevent NI and ensure the health of the kittens.

Understanding feline blood types, both in the ABO and Mik antigen systems, is crucial for veterinarians, breeders, and cat owners. Proper knowledge and management of blood type compatibility can save lives during transfusions, protect kittens from NI, and improve the overall health and well-being of cats.

https://uwveterinarycare.wisc.edu/360-support/blood-bank/

Benefits for Donors

• Free food "Depending on the location you may get different foods."

• Free routine vaccinations.

• Free heartworm testing and preventative.

• Free flea/tick preventatives.

• Free bloodwork, urinalysis, and fecal tests as covered in the screening process.

• Free preventative health examinations.

• Free dental scaling and polishing.

• Pride in your pet for helping other pets.