Confirming a cat’s blood type is crucial for several reasons. Cats have three primary blood types: A, B, and AB¹. Unlike humans, cats naturally produce antibodies against the blood types they do not possess. For instance, a cat with type B blood will have strong anti-A antibodies². This means that if a type B cat receives type A blood, it can lead to a severe and potentially fatal reaction due to the immune system attacking the foreign blood cells².
Knowing a cat’s blood type is essential for safe blood transfusions. In emergencies, such as trauma or surgery, a transfusion might be necessary. Administering the wrong blood type can cause acute hemolytic reactions, which are life-threatening³. Additionally, blood type compatibility is important for breeding. Mismatched blood types between a mother and her kittens can lead to neonatal isoerythrolysis, where the mother’s antibodies attack the kittens’ red blood cells¹.
Veterinarians can determine a cat’s blood type using simple tests available in clinics or through genetic testing¹. This knowledge ensures that cats receive the correct medical care, improving their chances of recovery and overall health³.
The Ringbio Feline Blood Type Rapid Test Kit is a 15min lateralflow rapid test kit for the quick detection of feline blood type A, B and AB using feline red blood cell suspensions. The sensitivity, specificity of the rapid test kit are both 100%, which is quick and reliable. It is suitable for fieldtesting. Both petowners and vetclinics can use it.
¹: International Cat Care
²: dvm360
³: CatBuzz
Source:
(1) Blood Groups & Blood Incompatibility | International Cat Care. https://icatcare.org/advice/blood-groups-and-blood-incompatibility/.
(2) Feline blood types: What you need to know and why (Proceedings) – dvm360. https://www.dvm360.com/view/feline-blood-types-what-you-need-know-and-why-proceedings.
(3) The Importance Of Knowing Your Cat’s Blood Type | CatBuzz. https://bing.com/search?q=Why+is+it+necessary+to+confirm+a+cat%27s+blood+type%3f.
(4) The Importance Of Knowing Your Cat’s Blood Type | CatBuzz. https://catbuzz.org/cat-health/all-about-knowing-your-cats-blood-type/.
(5) Decoding Cat Blood Types and Genetic Links. https://catsaroundtheglobe.com/decoding-cat-blood-types-and-genetic-links/.