Expert: W - 10/25/2007

Question
I am new to breeding, having just acquire a lovely SBIn girl, my first and only queen. She is just 10 months and has won 7x BIS (Norway) so is a promising little lady.

DNA tests show she is B group, that was a surprise for me and her breeder. I have read widely on the subject and understand the implications and complications of breeding B queens.

I have not made up my mind yet which principles and strategy to adopt in this respect. I am considering mating with an AA male to get all Ab kittens, thus avoiding propagation of B females but, having to hand feed for 24 hrs. I cannot see any advantages with B females, if it can be minimised/avoided.
Problems:
In Norway hardly anyone has type tested their Birman cats. We have a small breeding population mainly in the south. There is showing and breeding cooperation with Sweden where we can travel freely with our cats. This increases the variety and access to males.
Some breeders stigmatize B group cats and their breeders as though this were a sickness. Knowledge is poor amongst many (usually older) breeders.

I am concerned for the health and future of Birmans and would appreciate your advice. What advice can you give to a novice? I take breeding seriously and am committed to health promotion. What are the long term consequences for Birmans? Should the breeding community try to design out group B? It is a natural phenomenen after all.

Kind regards
Linda Ashurst

Answer
Hi Linda
I am about to give a talk to Birman breeders on the future of the breed at their annual cat show in November in England. My talk will cover the future of the breed and breeding regimes.
I do understand your challenge with the B group girl, but it can be overcome. I will direct you to Dr Addie's web site where there is good information on neonatal isoerythrolysis

http://www.dr-addie.com/Blood%20groups.htm

Please do read this and if you have any more questions then do ask, my email off site is raymondwigley@gmail.com
Remember in the A tom B queen you may have to hand rear for 16 hours to prevent infection transfer. Of course you could decide that such a commitment is more trouble than it is worth and consider not breeding from the B queen. I can only say it is a challenge.
As for finding blood types you could use the success of your queen to encourage more breeders in your country to have their toms tested.
I do have views for the future of the Birman breed world wide and would be happy to give them to you after my presentation to the Birman Club in November
I hope this helps

Regards

Ray