The Prevalence of Blood Groups in Domestic Cats in the Saskatoon and Calgary Areas of Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada

Wild Felids Blood Group System

Wild felids and domestic cats share the AB blood group. However, there have been few studies regarding the characterization and prevalence of the different blood types in wild animals. The erythrocyte membrane glycolipids of the wild cats correspond to the major disialoganglioside patterns observed in domestic cats. Like in domestic cats, type A blood seems to be the most common, although wild felid species seem to exhibit one single blood type. Of the species studied, the wild domestic cats, and the Panthera and ocelot lineages, all had type A blood; the Puma lineage showed almost exclusively type B blood. The prevalence of wild felids blood types show that there seems to be variation between species, but not within species, and no evidence of geographical variation has yet been found, showing apparently no genetic variability. The presence of alloantibodies has also been demonstrated, so the risk of life-threatening transfusion reactions due to mismatched transfusions and neonatal isoerythrolysis is a possibility. Like in other species, the recognition of wild felids blood groups is clinically relevant, as it can also be important in establishing phylogenetic relationships within the Felidae family. We will review the current knowledge on this topic and give insights into the wild felids blood groups potential for zoo transfusion medicine and phylogenetic studies in order to help support reintroduction projects and to preserve genetic diversity.

Feline Blood Groups: A Systematic Review of Phylogenetic and Geographical Origin

Simple Summary

Numerous breeds have been identified in the domestic cat, grouped according to their phylogenetic or geographical origin. In the cat, the AB blood group system is the most important feline system, and the determination of the blood group by specific methods is an essential step to avoid or reduce the risk of an adverse reaction in the recipient patient. Many studies have been published on the distribution and prevalence of blood types in pedigree and non-pedigree cats, but the information has never been collated in a systematic manner.

Abstract

Domestic cats descended from the African wildcat several thousand years ago. Cats have spread to all parts of the world, probably along routes between civilizations or geographical boundaries, leading to the movement of species, from Asia to the African continent through the Mediterranean basin, and finally to the American continent, Australia, and New Zealand. Currently, 73 cat breeds are recognized by the International Cat Association. With the increasing interest in the selection of breeds, the determination of blood groups in cats has acquired importance over time. The AB blood group system is the most important blood system in cats, in which A, B, and AB or C blood groups are identified. This systematic review describes data from previously published reports about cat blood types and cat breeds. After applying specific criteria, 28 eligible studies were identified in which the prevalence percentages for each blood group in correlation with specific cat breeds were reported. The breeds were, in turn, divided into four groups according to their geographic and phylogenetic origins as follows: Asian cat breeds, American cat breeds, European cat breeds, and breeds from Oceania. Although numerous studies were carried out before 2021, gaps in the literature on the AB system and, in particular, the Mik group are highlighted.

Preliminary Investigation of Bovine Whole Blood Xenotransfusion as a Therapeutic Modality for the Treatment of Anemia in Goats

Anemia requiring whole blood transfusion for appropriate treatment is a common clinical presentation of caprine patients to veterinary practitioners; however, identifying suitable blood donors in goat herds can be challenging. In other veterinary species, the practice of xenotransfusion, where blood from 1 species is transfused to another, is used in emergency settings. Due to their ability to donate large volumes of whole blood, cattle could be an ideal source for xenotransfusion of goats. In this study 2 healthy goats were transfused with bovine whole blood. The goats were then monitored for adverse effects and the presence of bovine erythrocyte post-xenotransfusion. Afterward, 15 caprine–bovine combinations were evaluated for compatibility via cross-matching. Both goats tolerated xenotransfusion, although transient reactions were observed. Of the 15 cross-match combinations, 11 of the major cross matches were compatible, and all minor cross matches were also compatible. While future work is necessary to refine this technique, xenotransfusion of goats with cattle blood may be a therapeutic modality for the treatment of caprine anemia.

Prevalence of Blood Types and Alloantibodies of the AB Blood Group System in Non-Pedigree Cats from Northern (Lombardy) and Southern (Sicily) Italy

Simple Summary

The most important blood group system in cats is the AB, in which cats are classified as type-A, B or AB. Cats have antibodies against the blood type they do not possess, called alloantibodies. The aims of this study were to update blood type prevalence in cats from Northern Italy and study for the first time the blood type in cats from an insular region of Southern Italy, Sicily; to detect alloantibodies in these feline populations; to compare results with previous studies performed in Italy and between regions in Northern and Southern Italy. Cats from Southern Italy had the highest prevalence of type-B and type-AB, and the lowest prevalence of type-A blood in Italy. In particular, type-AB prevalence was higher than all previous reports in non-pedigree cats in Europe and the Italian prevalence of anti-type-B alloantibodies in type-A cats was the lowest reported worldwide. These results highlight the usefulness of regional studies to report different prevalences in feline blood types. Compatibility tests such as blood typing and cross matching must be considered fundamental in cats of any origin to ensure safe and efficient blood transfusion and to prevent neonatal isoerythrolysis.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of A, B and AB blood types and alloantibodies in non-pedigree cats from two regions, one in Northern and one in Southern Italy (Lombardy and Sicily, respectively). A total of 448 samples (52.0% from Northern and 48.0% from Southern Italy) were blood typed. The prevalence of A, B and AB blood types in northern and southern cats were 91.0%, 5.2%, 3.8%, and 77.2%, 12.1% and 10.7%, respectively. The prevalence of type-A blood in southern cats was significantly lower (p = 0.0001) than in northern cats, while type-B and AB blood were significantly higher (p = 0.0085 and p = 0.0051, respectively) in Southern compared to Northern Italian cats. Alloantibodies against type-A blood were found in 94.1% of type-B cats, 11.2% of type-A cats had alloantibodies against type-B blood, while no type-AB cats had alloantibodies with no significant difference between the two Italian populations. Type-AB prevalence in non-pedigree cats in Southern Italy was the highest reported in Europe. Italian type-A cats had the lowest worldwide prevalence of alloantibodies against type-B blood. These results highlight the usefulness of regional studies to report different prevalences in feline blood types and reinforce the importance of blood typing cats before transfusions and mating.