TESTING BLOOD PRE-TRANSFUSION COMPATIBILITY IN A GROUP OF CATS

Summary Unlike in dogs, the feline erythrocyte antigenic sy stem is represented by 3 blood types (A, B and AB), composed of only 2 agglutinogens, against which there are naturally plasmatic anti-erythrocyte antibodies (anti-A or an ti-B), with clinical importance. This fact increases considerably the risk of adverse tra nsfusion reactions, at the first transfusion. Despite these risks, the use of transfusion therapy in feline patients with various severe diseases may be particularly effective if blood pro ducts with a high degree of compatibility and appropriate to the disease status are available. For this purpose we intended to assess the efficacy of the tests used f or feline blood compatibility evaluation, RapidVet-H Feline (DMS Laboratories) and Rapid DME VET A+B (Alvedia), available in our country. In association with blood typing, w e also resorted to assessment of blood compatibility through cross-match tests (slide and tubes methods), while identifying the potential difficulties in interpreting the results. According to the results obtained by blood typing t ests, 10 mixed breed cats revealed the presence of the A erythrocyte antigen. Cross-match tests proved to be more variable and the results showed 3 negative reactions (absence of agglutination/haemolysis), one pseudo-agglutination reaction (erythrocyte rouleaux ) and a positive agglutination reaction. The microscopic examination of the erythr ocyte rouleaux (pseudoagglutination) and clarification of the reactions b y adding saline, allowed the correct assessment of the compatibility between the blood d onor and the recipient. Based on the analysis of overall results achieved b y blood typing and Crossmatch tests, with an average degree of difficulty, we consider t hat these tests significantly decrease the risks of adverse reactions and encourage the im plementation of blood transfusion therapy in cats.