Blood typing
DOGS
Today, 13 blood groups are known for dogs, of which 8 are considered international.
The uniqueness of each group is based on the glycoproteins and glycolipids found on the surface of red blood cells, they are called DEA - Dog Erythrocyte Antigen and so the eight are known by their numbers - 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Initially, the prevailing thought was that dogs do not have antibodies that are spontaneously formed against foreign blood groups and hence any dog can receive blood from any other dog without any regard to its blood type.
This assumption has been proven incorrect and it has been found that blood groups DEA 3,4,5,7 have spontaneous antibodies, therefore in the case where a donor who is negative for these blood types receives a blood dose that is positive for these blood types, we will not see any reaction in the initial stages of blood donation, but the destruction of those red blood cells will occur over the next 3 to 5 days.
It was found that DEA 1.1 is the most important of the dog blood groups since it was found that this is the only blood group that does not develop spontaneous antibodies, and therefore a person who is donated for the first time with a negative blood type for this blood group - DEA 1.1 negative - who receives blood with a positive blood type for this blood group - DEA - 1.1 positive - will not develop any allergic/hemolytic reaction in the initial stages, but from now on, with each additional blood donation, he will develop the antibody groups against DEA 1.1 and will not be able to receive another blood donation without whole blood labelling and cross-match testing.
The "true" universal donor is a dog whose blood is negative for antibodies against blood groups 1.1, 1.2, 3, 5, 7, contrary to the popular belief that the universal donor is DEA 1.1 negative, and therefore every dog that will receive more than one blood donation is required to undergo blood labelling and cross-match testing to ensure a perfect match as much as possible.
A perfect 100% match of the donor's blood type to the recipient is very difficult to achieve, given the different blood groups (and there are more that are being discovered today). The goal is for maximum compatibility, which will extend the life of the foreign red blood cells as much as possible and hence will help with better quality treatment.
CATS
There are three main blood types for cats: A, B, and AB. A is the most common type among cats, B is more common among purebred cats, and AB is known to be the rarest in European countries and the USA. However, in Israel, cat populations with AB blood type are found with high frequency. Vetsource is pleased to take part in the international study by Professor Giger of Philadelphia University to study the high prevalence of this blood group.
Unlike dogs, cats are carriers of spontaneous antibodies to blood groups foreign to their own, and hence blood transfusions (as well as plasma transfusions) for a cat that needs them must be from the same blood group as it is characterized by and cannot receive from other groups as this may lead to severe anaphylactic reactions that could even lead to death.
Recently, it was learned about another group of antigens that characterizes cat blood and which may also lead to an immunological reaction if there is an incompatibility between the donor and the recipient. This group of antigens is known as MIK and is described as positive MIK and negative MIK.
It is difficult to fully meet the frequency and importance of the group.
In conclusion:
Before giving a transfusion of a blood product containing red blood cells, the patient's blood must be labelled and a major cross-match must be performed between the donor's blood and the donated plasma (Crossmatch major).
Assuming that you are unable to perform a major cross-match between the recipient and the donor, try to label the patient's blood and match it as closely as possible to the donor's blood.
If you give blood for a second time (beyond the first time), it is mandatory to label the donor's blood and perform a major cross-match test - dogs!