Veterinary Blood Groups and Transfusions

To provide compatible transfusions, prevent neonatal isoerythrolysis, and advise breeders.

Genetically inherited antigens, usually glycoproteins or glycolipids, on RBC surfaces.

Positive means the antigen is present; negative means it is absent.

Antibodies directed against RBC antigens from another animal of the same species.

Antibodies present without previous transfusion or pregnancy-related sensitization.
- risk of adverse rxn on FIRST transfusion

Antibodies formed after exposure to foreign RBC antigens through mismatched transfusion or pregnancy.
- second time exposed = rxn

Recipient alloantibodies bind donor RBC antigens, causing agglutination and hemolysis (destruction of transfused RBCs).

Prevent incompatible transfusions and minimize sensitization (new antibody formation) to foreign RBC antigens

Typing identifies RBC antigens; crossmatching detects antibodies causing donor-recipient incompatibility.

Known antibodies (antisera) bind specific patient RBC antigens, producing hemagglutination.

Card agglutination, immunochromatographic cartridges, gel column agglutination, and tube agglutination.

Autoagglutination may produce false-positive results; use saline or autoagglutination controls.

- they destroy RBCs so much

To detect antibody-mediated incompatibilities involving RBC antigens, including those not routinely typed. (mix donor + recipient components)

Recipient plasma/serum + donor RBCs; detects recipient antibodies against donor cells.

Donor plasma + recipient RBCs; detects donor antibodies against recipient cells.

Recipient plasma + recipient RBCs to detect autoagglutination.

Agglutination or hemolysis, detected macroscopically or microscopically.

Dog erythrocyte antigen; DEA 1 is most important and occurs in approximately 50–60% of dogs.
- do not have naturally occurring alloantibodies

It is highly antigenic and causes strong alloantibody responses after sensitization.

Generally no; weak natural anti-DEA 3, 5, or 7 antibodies may cause delayed RBC destruction.

Dogs generally lack natural anti-DEA 1, but the first mismatch can sensitize them.

Both DEA 1-negative and DEA 1-positive dogs.

Only DEA 1-positive dogs; DEA 1-negative recipients should receive DEA 1-negative blood.

It is ideal but not routinely required; it is recommended in IMHA to find a compatible unit.

If previously transfused more than 4 days ago, even with prior compatible typing or crossmatching.

Type A, type B, and type AB; type A is most common, while AB is rare.

A non-AB RBC antigen; feline erythrocyte antigen 1 (FEA 1) is believed to be the same as Mik.

1. STRONG anti-A antibodies.
2. Severe, potentially fatal hemolysis can occur on the FIRST transfusion, even with about 1 mL.

Weak anti-B antibodies, causing shortened survival of transfused type B RBCs.

No; they lack both anti-A and anti-B.

Mik-negative cats may possess anti-Mik antibodies against Mik-positive donor RBCs.

Type ALL donors and recipients, and confirm type B or AB results with another method.

Type A cats receive type A; type B cats receive type B.

Type A packed RBCs, because they contain very little donor plasma.

Before EVERY transfusion is recommended; REQUIRED if previously transfused more than 2 days ago.

Type B queen × type A tom, producing type A or AB kittens.

Anti-A antibodies in the type B queen's colostrum are absorbed during the first 12–24 hours and destroy kitten RBCs.

Type before breeding; for at-risk kittens, avoid the queen's colostrum for ~24 hours and provide a suitable foster queen or milk replacer. The reverse mating is not the classic risk.

Seven: A, C, D, K, P, Q, U; more than 30 factors create over 400,000 possible combinations.

The uppercase letter identifies the system; lowercase identifies its antigen, e.g., Aa is factor a in system A.

Aa, Qa, and Ca; Aa and Qa can cause severe reactions and NI, while Ca reactions are usually weaker.

An antigen unique to donkeys that horses lack; it contributes to neonatal isoerythrolysis and alloimmune thrombocytopenia in mules.

About 90% do not; around 10% have anti-Aa or anti-Ca. Anti-Aa can cause acute hemolysis, while anti-Ca is usually less significant.

Through previous transfusion or pregnancy, especially against highly immunogenic Aa and Qa factors.

An Aa-negative, Qa-negative gelding with no transfusion history and a negative antibody screen; no universal donor exists.

Type donor and recipient as closely as possible, especially A, C, Q, and perform a major crossmatch.

Prefer a never-transfused donor of the same species, breed, use a close relative if necessary, and ALWAYS crossmatch.