Please click here to view the latest information on how to access our services.

  • Could your cat be a blood doner?
Pet Advice Categories

Feline Blood Donors - Screening and annual health maintenance

We are looking for cats which fit the following criteria:

  • Healthy
  • Friendly and easy to handle
  • At least 4.5kg
  • 1-7 years old
  • Ideally (but not necessarily) kept indoors
  • Not on any medication (except flea/ worming treatment
  • Vaccinated yearly but ideally not within the last month
  • Female cats should not be pregnant but previous pregnancy does not exclude donation (please inform the veterinary surgeon if your cat has had kittens).

If you have a pet cat that fits this description and you are interested in your cat becoming a blood donor, your cat with then go through a screening process to ensure that they are eligible. This will be at the hospital’s expense.

  1. A full physical examination is performed by a veterinary surgeon.
  2. We take a blood sample and submit this for blood typing. We primarily use blood type A or B but will also occasionally use type AB cats.
  3. If the results from step 1 and 2 are satisfactory your cat’s name will be put onto our donor list. We will then call donors from this list when we need blood for a specific patient.

If your cat us called upon (this may be at night or at a weekend as well as during weekdays) to be a donor, the following will be carried out:

  1. A full physical examination by a veterinary surgeon.
  2. A blood sample will be taken and tested for FeLV/FIV and a PCV performed (Packed Cell Volume– this checks the concentration of red blood cells in the sample).
  3. If the blood samples are satisfactory cats will normally be sedated whilst they are donating.
  4. Following the donation you will receive a voucher which will entitle your cat to a free vaccination booster.

If you are interested in having your cat become a blood donor then please contact the Morley surgery and ask to speak to Jane White.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my cat be unwell following a donation?

Donor animals will be checked by a vet to ensure that they are fit and healthy enough before making a blood donation. Signs of low blood pressure can be seen after donation in cats, so supplementary fluid replacement may be given at the time of collection. There is not evidence of longterm health problems in feline donors.

Cats will usually be sedated for the donation process.

How is blood obtained?

Blood is obtained directly from a large vein in the neck using syringes pre-filled with anti-coagulant and a ‘butterfly’ catheter. Fluids can be administered before and during the blood collection to minimise the effects of blood volume reduction. A typical donation of blood will be 60mls.

How often can my cat give blood?

Repeated blood donations over a relatively short period of time can lead to anaemia and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. For this reason your cat should ideally not be called upon to re-donate for at least another three months.

Blood Types and Cross-Matching

Cats can either by type A, type B or type AB. Ideally all blood transfusions should be typed as reactions from un-typed transfusions can be very serious. The rare AB blood group cats can receive blood from either type A or B donors, but type A cats will automatically have a reaction if they are given type B blood and vice versa.

Cross-matching may be necessary if the recipient has had a previous transfusion or if the donor cat has had kittens. This involves taking a small sample from both donor and recipient. The serum and red blood cells from both will then be incubated and examined closely for any reaction. If this occurs it may indicate an increased risk of reaction inside the recipient’s body if the transfusion is given.

If you are interested in having your cat become a blood donor then please contact the Morley surgery and ask to speak to Jane White.

accreditation cfc silver 23
accreditation cfc gold 23
accreditation rabbit welfare 23
accreditation leeds emergency vets
accreditation bvha