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

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.