HEALTH
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Understanding Dog Blood Groups: A Vet’s Guide to Dog Blood Types, Transfusion & Donation

Here’s a veterinarian’s guide to understanding the dog blood groups, how dog blood transfusions work, and the best ways to find blood donors for your dog.
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Believe it or not, like humans, our dogs have blood groups too! While it's not as simple or well-understood as human blood types, there is ongoing research that is improving our understanding of dog blood groups, leading to lifesaving advancements in veterinary medicine.
In this article, let’s learn about dog blood groups, how blood transfusions are carried out for dogs, resources to find blood donors, and the key considerations for pet parents.
blood sample vials
Did you know that there are more dog blood groups than human?

Dog Blood Groups: What are the Different Types?

According to the latest edition of the Merck Veterinary Manual, there are over 12 distinct dog blood groups. The most significant is the Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA), which has subtypes from DEA 1 to DEA 7. Of these, DEA 1.1 is of the utmost significance, and the presence or absence of this antigen is crucial for ensuring safe dog blood transfusions.
Approximately 40% of dogs are DEA 1.1-positive as they possess this antigen in their red blood cells. Understanding your dog’s blood group is essential for safe transfusions. If a DEA 1.1-negative dog receives DEA 1.1-positive blood, it can develop antibodies, leading to severe complications in future transfusions.

Other recognized blood types include DAL and Kai. Ongoing research may also result in the identification of additional classifications in the future.
blood transfusion in dogs

Dog Blood Transfusion Process & Potential Risks

A dog blood transfusion is a veterinary procedure in which blood (whole) or blood products (plasma, serum, etc.) are transferred from a donor dog to a recipient dog. This procedure is typically performed when the recipient dog has lost a significant amount of blood in cases of severe tick fever, accidents, immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA), kidney failure, blood cancer, severe liver disease, or toxicity. 
Are There Risks with Dog Blood Transfusions?
The primary risk with dog blood transfusions is rejection of the donor blood by the recipient. However, the chances of this happening are quite low as veterinarians usually run thorough checks before a transfusion. Additionally, dogs undergoing blood transfusion for the first time usually show no reaction, regardless of their blood group. This happens because the dog’s body typically doesn’t recognize the donor blood as foreign at first.

Reactions are more common in second or subsequent blood transfusions. A dog's body is more likely to react if it has previously received blood and developed antigens against foreign blood. The most common symptoms of reactions include fever, vomiting, and haemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells). Fever and vomiting are usually self-limiting but haemolysis can be fatal. Other signs include a change in heartbeat, difficulty breathing, collapse, drooling, tremors, convulsions, and weakness. Fortunately, severe reactions are rare in dogs.

Research surveys have shown that, out of all dogs that received a blood transfusion, only 2-13% of recipients showed any adverse reaction. None of these reactions were associated with dog blood group mismatches. Vets believe that most reactions could have resulted from other blood components or factors related to blood collection, processing, storage, or individual host characteristics. Hence, it might be safer to use freshly collected blood for transfusions instead of blood from a blood bank.
a brown dog standing on a stone in an outdoor environment
Not all heroes wear capes!

Dog Blood Donation: What You Need to Know

Dog blood donation is crucial for saving lives, as it provides essential transfusions for injured or ill dogs, helping them recover and thrive.
How Is Blood Collected During Donation?
The blood collection process is quick and minimally invasive. Blood is taken from the jugular vein in the neck of the donor dog, and it usually takes 5-10 minutes. Most vet clinics allow the pet parents to stay with their dogs for comfort during the process. This area is often shaved for better visualisation.

Once the process is done, the donor dog is allowed to rest and recuperate under veterinary supervision, with plenty of fluids and treats. The donor dog should ideally relax for the rest of the day and resume their regular activities the following day.


Who Can Donate Blood?
Dog blood donation is a pretty simple and hassle-free process and it can save precious lives. However, it does require careful consideration, including specific criteria to determine a dog’s eligibility for blood donation. To be an eligible blood donor, dogs must:
  • Be at least 16 months old.
  • Weigh over 20 kgs.
  • Be up-to-date on vaccinations and tick/flea preventives.
  • Be in good health, free from chronic diseases, and not on medication.
  • Have no history of receiving blood transfusions or recent tick fever (PCR clear).
  • Be calm and easy to handle.

How Can We Find Donors for Our Dogs?
To find donors for your dog, start by checking with your vet clinic, as they likely have a list of registered donors. You can also connect with local pet parents through WhatsApp groups or share your request on social media. There are several Facebook groups curated specifically for dog blood donation requests in India such as:
Understanding dog blood groups and blood transfusions is crucial in veterinary care and can be life-saving in critical situations. These procedures are typically reserved for emergencies and require careful consideration. Staying informed about the different dog blood types, the transfusion process, and reliable sources for assistance is essential for ensuring your dog receives the best care when it matters most.
Keywords:

Dog blood group ,

Canine blood groups ,

Dog blood donation ,

dog blood types,

Dog blood transfusion

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