In the UK, the law relating to cat blood donations changed in March 2023. It means that blood banks for cats are allowed and a Portuguese group, Banco de Sangue Animals is taking advantage of this change in the law in setting up a blood bank in the UK. They already have blood banks in Portugal, Spain and Belgium.
RELATED: Infographic on high blood pressure (hypertension) in domestic cats
It’ll be the first feline blood bank in the UK and it will enable veterinarians to better treat bleeding disorders. Cats have three blood types, A, B and AB. Of course, they must receive the right blood type in a transfusion. Cats are prone to blood-borne diseases including an AIDS-like virus that usually sprays to saliva and bite wounds (FIV).
A specialist in feline medicine, Samantha Taylor, in an interview with The Guardian newspaper said:
The current situation has been very problematic as far as cats dying because there’s not appropriate blood available. Currently vets in practice cannot easily source feline blood products to use on very sick cats.
The number one cat Association in the UK, the GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy), said:
Until recently it has been illegal to import and store feline blood and sick/injured cats needing a blood transfusion could only receive one if a suitable cat donor was available at the time. Sadly, this often meant that the cats needing blood could not be saved. Although the import of blood is still illegal, the law does permit collection and storage of feline blood.
People who want to offer their cat’s blood because they believe their cat would be a suitable donor can register their animal on the website of the Pet Bank UK. This charity said:
We are looking for large healthy cats who enjoy being handled and spending time around people. By registering your cat with us, it means we can get in touch with you when are plans for the feline blood bank progress.
Already, the Royal Veterinary College stores feline blood but it is not a blood bank as such. It is used for animals treated by them or referred to them as the college is a transfusion service. They remarked that donating blood could be used to help cats having open-heart surgery, and receiving emergency and critical care and, further, in the treatment of cancer.
A cat blood donation process takes between 10-15 minutes although the entire process takes four hours because veterinarians need to ensure the donor cat is adequately hydrated before they are released and returned home.
Suitable cats for donating blood should be between 1-10 years old, weigh no more than 4 kg (9 pounds) and be up-to-date on vaccinations and treatments.
Source: The Times newspaper today 3rd July 2023.
