XENOTRANSFUSION STUDIES IN ANAEMIC CATS
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Date
2019
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College of Veterinary and animal Science,Mannuthy
Abstract
Xenotransfusion study was performed in 10 severly anaemic cats brought
to the University Veterinary Hospital, Mannuthy and Kokkalai. Blood typing was
done in 40 cats from Thrissur district.
Persian and non-pedigree domestic cats were blood typed using a
commercial kit following the principle of immunochromatographic method.
Among the 40 cats, 38 belonged to type A. Type B and type AB was recorded in
one animal each. All Persian cats were of type A.
Xenotransfusion with dog blood was performed in severely anaemic cats.
Animals were subjected to a detailed physical examination, blood smear and
faecal sample examination and haematology to reach an etiological diagnosis and
to assess the severity of anaemia. Seven of the anaemic cats were infected with the
haemoparasite, Mycoplasma haemofelis. Infection with gastrointestinal parasites,
Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp. as well as feline panleucopenia were the
other major reasons that caused anaemia in cats. Clinical outcome and variation in
blood parameters before and 24 hours after the transfusion was evaluated.
Haemogram of anaemic cats showed a marked reduction in haemoglobin level,
volume of packed red blood cells, total erythrocyte count and total thrombocyte
count prior to xenotransfusion. Timely transfusion with canine blood resulted in a
significant increase in haemoglobin level, volume of packed red blood cells, total
erythrocyte count and total thrombocyte count. Major and minor cross matching
tests performed prior to transfusion between donor dog blood and recipient cat
blood did not show agglutination reaction. Along with xenotransfusion all cases
were treated with specific therapeutic agents based on their etiology. Three
animals died during the course of treatment. Clinical improvement was noticed in
the other animals after transfusion and no major adverse reactions were noticed
during transfusion.
Based on the findings of present study, it can be concluded that there is a
high frequency of occurrence of type A cats in Kerala. Xenotransfusion of cats
with canine blood can be advocated in emergency situations as a life saving
measure.