# Observational Study on the Distribution of Cat Blood Groups in a Non-Pedigree Population in Luanda, Angola

## TL;DR

This study examines cat blood types in Luanda, Angola, finding most cats are type A, with a notable risk of transfusion and neonatal issues.

## Contribution

The study provides the first data on cat blood group distribution in a non-pedigree population in Sub-Saharan Angola.

## Key findings

- 94.9% of cats in Luanda were blood type A, and 5.1% were type B, with no type C cats identified.
- The risk of mismatched transfusion was 9.64%, and the mating risk for neonatal isoerythrolysis was 4.82%.

## Abstract

The blood group ABC is the most clinically important in cats because of the existence of naturally occurring alloantibodies responsible for post-transfusion hemolytic reactions and neonatal isoerythrolysis. Cats express antibodies against the blood type they lack. The occurrence of cat blood types varies geographically and between breeds. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of cat blood types in a non-pedigree cat population of the Luanda province in Angola (Sub-Saharan Africa) and to assess the risk of a mismatched transfusion and neonatal isoerythrolysis. Of the 127 cats tested (71 males and 56 females), 94.9% were type A, and 5.1% were type B. No type C cats were found. The risk of a mismatched transfusion was 9.64%, and the proportion of mating risk for neonatal isoerythrolysis was 4.82%. According to the results, blood typing is recommended prior to transfusion or matting.

Post-transfusion reactions can occur in animals because they present alloantibodies that do not require prior sensitization. Therefore, blood typing is necessary to reduce the risk of hemolytic reactions, but so far, no studies have been carried out to establish the incidence of common blood types in cats from Angola. Therefore, the objective of this observational study was to assess the occurrence of cat blood types in a non-pedigree feline population of Luanda province in Angola, a country in Sub-Saharan Africa, and to determine the risk of a mismatched transfusion and of neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI). Of the 127 cats tested (71 males and 56 females), including diseased and healthy cats with ages ranging from 8 months to 17 years, 94.9% were type A and 5.1% were type B. No type C cats were found. The calculated risk of a mismatched transfusion was 9.64%, and the proportion of mating risk for NI was 4.82%. Our results, although similar to those reported globally, differ from data described in other studies on the African continent. According to the results, blood typing is recommended prior to transfusion or matting.