Did You Know?
Just like people, dogs and cats have different blood types and when they need a transfusion, a unit of the same blood type should be given.
- Knowing your pet’s blood type is an important part of blood transfusion medicine. Blood typing allows our team to identify compatible donors and recipients and helps reduce the risk of transfusion reactions.
- For dogs we type for DEA 1, and they can either be DEA 1 positive or DEA 1 negative.
- Cats have three main blood types: A, B and AB.
- Unlike dogs, cats naturally have antibodies against blood types they don’t have, meaning an incompatible transfusion can cause a serious reaction, even during a first transfusion.
- Every ACES Lifesaver is blood typed as part of their donor screening, so we know exactly what type of blood they can provide.
Crossmatching
Blood typing tells us what type of blood your pet has. Crossmatching tells us whether that blood is compatible with a specific patient.
Before a transfusion, our veterinary team may perform a crossmatch by combining a sample of the recipient’s blood with a sample of the potential donor’s blood. This allows us to check for reactions between the two and helps us select the safest blood product for the patient.
Crossmatching is particularly important for patients who have previously received a blood transfusion, as they may have developed antibodies against blood group antigens.
At ACES, our goal is to provide the safest and most appropriate blood product for every patient, with blood typing and crossmatching used alongside the patient’s clinical history and individual circumstances.
