What serious reactions may occur due to a transfusion error in cats from Type A to Type B?

Transfusion errors, particularly in cats, can lead to severe and sometimes fatal consequences, especially when blood type incompatibility occurs. When Type A blood is transfused into a Type B cat, a strong immune response can be initiated due to the presence of anti-A antibodies in the Type B cat's blood, leading to acute hemolytic transfusion reactions. This reaction involves the destruction of the transfused Type A red blood cells by the recipient's immune system, resulting in the release of hemoglobin and various inflammatory mediators.

The acute transfusion reaction can trigger a cascade of events, including blood vessel inflammation and the potential development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). These effects can culminate in organ failure due to the loss of functional red blood cells, tissue oxygen deprivation, and acute shock. Therefore, the correct response encompasses both the immediate and serious outcomes of such a transfusion error, which includes the risk of organ failure as a critical and life-threatening situation for the animal.

The knowledge about how severe acute transfusion reactions can be highlights the importance of proper blood typing and compatibility testing before any transfusion in veterinary practice, particularly in species like cats that have strong reactions to blood type mismatches.