You probably know your blood type. But what about your dog? Dog blood types are different, and a bit more complicated than human blood types. Humans have the A-B-O system, whereas dogs have at least eight major blood groups, known as dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1 to 8. But it doesn’t stop there. Other types, known as Dal, Kai-1, and Kai-2, only appear in a few breeds, for a total of at least 12 different blood types.
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This can make things a bit tricky when your dog needs a blood transfusion. How are dog blood types determined with so many options, and how do transfusions work?
How Dog Blood Types Are Defined
Blood types, in general, are defined by what are called “antigens.” These are substances that stimulate the body’s immune system. They live on the surface of red blood cells. A dog that has a particular antigen is said to be “positive” for the blood group that it represents; a dog lacking the antigen is negative for it. Think, in humans, A-positive or A-negative.
But it’s more complicated. The types are independent, so a dog could be positive for some blood types, and negative for others. For example, a dog might be DEA 1.1 positive, as well as DEA 4, 7, and Dal positive. At the same time, they might also be DEA 3, 5, and Kai-1 and 2 negative. There are many different combinations that dog’s blood types can be.
Blood Type Frequency Among Dogs
Some blood types are more common than others, and some may depend on breed. Even geography could play a role in a dog’s blood type. For example:
- Almost 100% of dogs are positive for Dal, but some Dalmatians, Doberman Pinschers, Lhasa Apsos, and Shih Tzu are negative for it
- DEA 6: Positive in about 98 to 99% of dogs
- DEA 4: Positive in about 85–100% of dogs.
- DEA 1.1: Positive in about 40 to 60% of dogs. Some breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, are more likely to be positive. Greyhounds, Boxers, Irish Wolfhounds, and German Shepherd Dogs are more likely to be negative for it.
Why Blood Type Matching Matters
DEA 1.1 is the most likely blood type to cause a bad reaction in a blood transfusion when it’s not matched between the donor and the recipient. Some of the most common examples of this are DEA 1.1 transfusions.
DEA 1.1 Negative Blood
Ideally, DEA 1.1 negative dogs shouldn’t receive DEA 1.1 positive blood. If they do, it won’t be instantly harmful, but could be in the future. The recipient dog can develop antibodies against DEA 1.1 if this happens. That means that if a second transfusion is given, the recipient dog’s immune system would destroy the donated blood cells, or they would clump together. This can be dangerous.
On the other hand, a DEA 1.1 positive dog can get DEA 1.1 positive or negative blood without an issue. Most dog blood donors tend to be DEA 1.1 negative, since this popular blood type doesn’t usually cause issues.
A Slower Reaction in Dogs
Humans have antibodies against most blood types that aren’t their own. Dogs don’t have this for the most part, but some types do. This means that dogs’ immune systems won’t react to mismatched blood transfusions until the second time around. In an emergency, vets may not have time to match blood types, which is why this can happen.
This doesn’t happen as often in people because our blood is typed, and unmatched transfusions can trigger an immediate, dangerous reaction.
However, the dog’s immune system takes note of the foreign type — almost as if it were vaccinated against it. It’s now primed to react if exposed again, so if they ever need another transfusion. Any dog that has ever had a transfusion should have that information noted very prominently on their record, as any future transfusions will need to be carefully matched, or else risk an acute hemolytic reaction.
Uncommon Antibodies in Dogs
Dogs do, however, have naturally occurring antibodies against DEA 3, 5, and 7. But none of these types are extremely common:
DEA 3: about 5 to 10% of dogs are positive.
DEA 5: about 12 to 22% of dogs are positive.
DEA 7: about 8 to 45% of dogs are positive.
If a dog that’s negative for DEA 3/5/7 receives blood that’s DEA 3/5/7 positive, the dog will have a delayed reaction involving loss of red blood cells. While it won’t cause an immediate reaction, it’s still not ideal, which is another reason why blood typing is worthwhile should be done whenever there’s time before a transfusion.
To catch a reaction early, veterinarians closely monitor dogs during and after transfusion. This typically means checking vital signs, such as heart rate, temperature, and respiration, every 15 to 30 minutes. They’ll also watch for signs including vomiting, hives, facial swelling, restlessness, or fever.
Blood Typing, and Universal Donors
Blood typing for DEA 1.1 is an easy test your veterinarian can do in-house. For a complete blood typing profile, they’ll need to send the blood sample to a reference lab.
When possible, it’s best to match blood types of donors and recipients before any transfusion. A universal donor is one that is negative for DEA 1.1, 1.2, 3, 5, and 7 and is positive for DEA 4.
Crossmatching and How It Works
Beyond blood typing identifies one dog’s blood type. Crossmatching combines blood from the donor and recipient to see if the antibodies are compatible. There are two types of crossmatching: major and minor. Major is a test that combines the donor’s blood cells with the recipient’s blood plasma. Minor tests combine the donor’s blood plasma with the recipient’s blood cells.
Neither crossmatch should, best case scenario, be incompatible. If needed, blood that is incompatible in minor crossmatches could still be used, since the donor’s plasma will be diluted in the recipient. Crossmatching is an essential step in the transfusion process. After the first transfusion, it’s important to crossmatch. Initial transfusions could cause sensitivity in the recipient, which can happen even just four days after the first transfusion. Before any more transfusions are done, even with the same donor, it’s important to crossmatch.
Blood Banks and Volunteer Donor Dogs
Dogs can donate blood If your dog needs a transfusion, your vet may use blood from a canine blood bank, a designated hospital donor dog, or a volunteer dog. Many canine blood banks rely on local volunteers. Some veterinary hospitals maintain lists of local volunteer donors. Donors often receive perks for their donations, like free check-ups.
Donor dogs generally need to meet the following requirements:
- Large, usually over 50 pounds
- Young, usually under 6 years
- Healthy, with stable temperament
- Up-to-date on vaccinations
- Heartworm free, and on heartworm prevention
- Spayed, if female, and have never been pregnant
- Must never have been a blood transfusion recipient
Collection takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Dogs must be able to remain calm and quiet during this process without any sort of sedation.
Some Blood Types in High Demand
Retired racing Greyhound are popular blood donors. They’re large, calm, used to being handled, and naturally have a higher percentage of red blood cells than other dogs. They have a lower percentage of white blood cells and platelets. Most are also DEA 1.1 negative. Universal donor blood is always in high demand.
If you or your dog want to make a difference, consider signing up as a canine blood donor. Talk to your veterinarian about your options and where you can find local canine blood banks. Together, you could save a life.
Key Takeaways
- Dogs have at least 12 recognized blood groups, making blood typing more complex than in humans.
- DEA 1.1 is the blood type most commonly associated with transfusion compatibility concerns.
- The first mismatched transfusion often sensitizes a dog, while future transfusions carry a greater risk of reaction.
- Blood typing and crossmatching help veterinarians identify compatible donors and reduce transfusion complications.
- Canine blood donors and blood banks play a critical role in providing life-saving emergency care.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do dogs have the same blood types as humans?
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No. Humans use the ABO blood group system, while dogs have multiple dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) blood groups as well as additional blood types such as Dal and Kai.
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What is the most important blood type in dogs?
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DEA 1.1 is considered one of the most clinically important canine blood groups because mismatched transfusions can lead to sensitization and future transfusion reactions.
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Can a dog receive blood from any other dog?
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Not always. While emergency first-time transfusions may sometimes occur before complete testing, blood typing and crossmatching are preferred because they reduce the risk of transfusion reactions.
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What happens if a dog receives the wrong blood type?
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A mismatched transfusion may sensitize the dog’s immune system. Future transfusions can trigger destruction of donor red blood cells and potentially serious immune reactions.
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Can my dog donate blood?
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Many healthy, large-breed dogs can become blood donors if they meet veterinary screening requirements. Donor programs often seek calm, healthy dogs that have never received a transfusion.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.