Testing of Some Canine Blood Types in Transfusion Compatibility Assessment

Blood types were determined using SHIGETA (n=136) and DEA1.1 (n=25) kits, in two groups of dogs, consisting of patients that underwent blood transfusions and healthy donors. The tests were conducted in accordance with the procedures established by the manufacturers, using specific monoclonal antibodies kits, heparinized blood for the tube agglutination (TUBE) and slide (SLIDE) methods, and EDTA treated blood for the CARD and chromatographic (CHROM) methods. The clear expression of tube agglutination reaction in the SHIGETA kit provided a good detection of antigens. Positive reactions with anti-DEA1.1 were clear and evident with the CHROM test. SHIGETA tests revealed a predominance 1.1B (47.05%) of blood type, common in Rotweilers (81.81%) and Romanian Shepherds (73.68%) and group 1(-)B (24.26%), frequently found in German Shepherds (54.16%), these also representing an important source of compatible blood. DEA1.1 type test, revealed a high frequency of positive dogs (75%), associated with lower number of potential donors. Extrapolation of SHIGETA groups into the DEA system, confirmed the 1(-)B positive dogs as DEA 1.1 negative, and their prevalence in German Shepherds also confirmed their known tendency to be “ideal donors”. The CHROME test showed a good efficiency in auto agglutination control and detecting DEA1.1 positive dogs, including patients with severe forms of anemia.