Blood Banking

CE: Canine Card Blood Typing (March 1998)

Our canine blood typing cards reliably indicate the presence or absence of DEA 1.1 only. Other erythrocyte antigens include DEA 1.2, 3, 4, 5, and 7. Occasional 1.2 positive dogs may type positive with this method. For this reason, the card should only be used as a screen for typing potential canine donors, since the other DEA antigens will not be detected. If the blood type is negative for DEA 1.1, the sample needs to be sent out for tube typing.

DEA-3, 5 or 7 dogs should be avoided as donors because of the presence of naturally occurring antibodies, and because of the delayed loss of erythrocytes in sensitized dogs.

Dogs typed as DEA-4 positive, and are negative to all other blood group systems, are considered “universal donors”.

The blood typing card is adequate for recipient dogs. If the recipient is typed negative for DEA 1.1, it can be given negative blood from a known universal donor.

One word of caution: A 1.2 positive dog may be sensitized with DEA 1.1 red cells and produce a potent anti-DEA 1.1 antibody. Crossmatching is essential in any previously transfused dog when the type specificity of the previous donor is unknown. In other words, the card is not 100% accurate!

References:

Hale,A: Canine blood groups and their importance in veterinary transfusion medicine. Transfusion Medicine, 25:6, 1995

Smith, Joe, DVM, Kansas State University