Three blood types
Most cats have one of two blood types, A or B. There is also a third type, AB, but it is rare and causes problems.
Why it matters to breeders
Blood typing is worthwhile for breeders of breeds with a high proportion of type B cats. All type B cats have strong antibodies against type A (known as anti-A antibodies).
If a type B queen gives birth to a healthy type A kitten, in the first 24 hours she passes on antibodies against its blood type. This causes severe haemolysis, the destruction of red blood cells, and around 90% of these kittens die.
If a kitten survives the first week, blood clots can cause the tip of the tail, the ears and the limbs to die off (necrosis).
That is why vets advise breeders to identify all type B cats in the cattery and not to mate them with type A toms in future.
If the mating was unplanned
If a type A tom has mated with a type B queen, the birth should be supervised by a vet.
- Blood is taken from each newborn kitten's umbilical cord and its blood type is determined straight away.
- If a kitten is type A, it must be separated for 24 hours and not allowed to suckle colostrum.
