Dog blood types are very different from our own
Blood Usage
Canine Blood Types
Just as we have blood types, so do our dogs – in fact, dogs have over 12 known blood types. Dogs are classified as either positive or negative for each of the types, which are referred to as Dog Erythrocyte Antigen or DEA. The blood type which is most likely to cause transfusion reactions in recipients is DEA 1.1, therefore that is the blood type which we test in canine donors and patients. When we screen your dog’s blood, we will be able to tell you what blood type they belong to based on the antigens in their blood, either DEA 1.1 positive or DEA 1.1 negative.
Dog Breed Predisposition
Interestingly, some dog breeds have a predisposition to being DEA 1.1 positive or negative. Greyhounds, Boxers, Irish Wolfhounds, German Shepherds, Dobermans, and Pit Bulls are more likely to be negative. On the other hand, Golden Retrievers and Labradors are more likely to be positive.
Positive or Negative?
Whether your dog’s blood type is positive or negative does not make their blood more or less valuable, it simply helps us to administer the most appropriate transfusion to the patient in need.
Our Blood Product Requirement in 2020
130
Bags of Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs)
30+
Donors in the program
94
Bags of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)