It used to be considered that any dog could give blood to any other dog but more recently it has been found that dogs have different blood groups and to date around six blood groups have been identified, classified according to the DEA (dog erythrocyte antigen) system. DEA 1.1 and 1.2 are the most potent antigenically and can provoke intense antibody production when transfused into a dog of a different type. This means that, although a first transfusion is unlikely to provoke acute incompatibility reactions, a dog would need to be cross matched to insure blood compatibility before receiving a second or subsequent blood transfusion.
For all canine blood group systems other than DEA 1, the red blood cells from a dog can be either positive or negative for that blood type. For example, a dog could be DEA 3 positive or DEA 3 negative. The DEA 1 system is different. It appears to have three separate subgroups: DEA 1.1 (also known as A1) , DEA 1.2 (also known as A2) and DEA 1.3 (also known as A3). A dog's red blood cells can be DEA 1.1 positive or negative. Further, DEA 1.1 negative cells can be DEA 1.2 positive or negative.
In the U.K. it is against the Law for blood from animals to be taken and stored, so it is not possible to set up a blood bank as is done for humans.
It would really be helpful to have Irish Wolfhounds registered as blood donors. Obviously more blood can be taken from such a large dog than from smaller breeds and, if enough dogs were registered then hopefully each one would not be required to give blood more than once or twice a year. The most suitable age range is from 18 months to 5 years. Other preferences are for dogs, not bitches which are to be used for breeding, and preferably hounds which have been vaccinated and are up-to-date with their vaccinations.
Each hound registered would be tested for general health and being clear of any disease, and would be blood typed. As blood cannot legally be stored any blood taken would hopefully be used for planned surgery the next day for a specific dog. Other blood products can also be utilised.
| LINKS |
| The Dog Blood Donor website |
| Royal Veterinary College Blood Donor Leaflet |
| [Adobe Acrobat Reader required in order to read this - it can be downloaded from http://www.2006dl.com/adobe-acrobat/] |
| Page on blood typing from the North Western Laboratories Newsletter |
| A page of facts on canine blood donors |
| A piece on the expanding volunteer canine blood donor programme at the RVC Queen Mother Hospital for Animals |
| [Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to read this. It can be downloaded from http://www.2006dl.com/adobe-acrobat/ ] |