The blood type in animals is an individual antigenic feature of red blood cells. It is detected by identifying specific groups of carbohydrates and proteins that are part of the structure of red blood cell membranes. In this way, there is a division of representatives of various biological groups according to the characteristics of the blood.
When blood transfusions of different groups, incompatibility is caused. In this case, the interaction of agglutinins and agglutinogens, the bonding of red blood cells and hemolysis occurs. Because of this, before transfusion, animals are tested for blood type: the compatibility of the donor and the recipient is revealed.
How many blood types in different animals
Scientists have long established that the blood groups in animals are different, and, in different representatives, their number varies significantly. So, 11 groups are distinguished in dogs, three in cats, 8 in horses, 60 in chickens, and 30 in pigs. The most studied are blood groups of domestic and farm animals. In veterinary medicine, animal blood type data helps in breeding, establishing paternity, for structuring the breed, and also for checking animals during export and import.
Dog Blood Features
Blood types in animals are different from human ones. In dogs, eleven major groups are distinguished, which differ in the composition of proteins and antigens. Blood groups of dogs are indicated by numbers and Latin letters A, Tr, B, C, D, F, J, K, L, M, N. In most dogs, the first blood group is detected.
Dog transfusion
When wondering if animals have a blood type, many do not even think that they, like humans, have a whole system of blood division into groups. So, in dogs there is an interdisciplinary designation system DEA, in which there are six groups:
- DEA1.1 is a universal group.
- DEA1.2.
- DEA3.
- DEA4 - It is also considered universal, which is suitable for all dogs.
- DEA 5.
- DEA 7.
As in humans, even when transfusion of the universal group, the dogs are tested for compatibility.
The most versatile group in dogs
One of the most important is the blood DEA1.1. Information about the group must be included in the veterinary certificate.
Blood groups of animals and humans are different, but both are characterized by a Rh factor. In animals, it can also be positive and negative. Moreover, half of the animals have DEA1.1 +. Such dogs can transfuse blood of any breed, but only with the same blood. Those animals in which DEA1.1 - are considered universal donors.
At the first transfusion the blood of dogs with the DEA1.1 + group can be transfused with animals whose blood is DEA1.1 -. The first transfusion is successful. After it, antibodies accumulate in the body and upon repeated transfusion, an immune reaction occurs with severe consequences.
Before transfusion of blood of any group, a compatibility test is mandatory, during which the presence of antigens is checked.
Dog blood has no breed-related differences. So, blood from a spaniel can be transfused with a pug, terrier and other breeds, the main thing is that it is compatible.
Features of cat blood
Cat lovers may encounter a problem when the animal needs a transfusion. At such moments, the question arises, what blood types in animals exist and how are they compatible?
There is a whole system of blood groups in cats under the general name AB. Most often, cats have group A, but B is less common. Cats with the AB group are extremely rare: they are considered universal recipients.
Before blood transfusion, cats are also tested for compatibility. This is due to the fact that the blood of the donor and recipient cats may not coincide, contain antigens, due to which red blood cells stick together and break down.
The effect of blood type on cat breeding
To obtain healthy offspring, breeders should refuse to mate cats with group B and cats with group A, but cats with blood of group A can be mated with any cats.
When receiving offspring from cats or cats with group B, there will be kittens with similar blood. Thus, a kind of “island” will be created, in which there will be all animals with the same blood. To get a litter, cats will again have to mate with cats whose blood has group B. Due to this feature, mating a cat with a cat with other blood will not work, as it is dangerous for posterity: it will be born dead or die in the first hours of life.
Sometimes it happens that a group B is characteristic for a particular breed. In such cases, representatives of only this breed are used to obtain healthy offspring. If a cat with group B expects offspring from a cat with blood A, then at birth all kittens are tested for blood type. All individuals with group A are removed from the cat and fed separately.
Blood groups in agricultural animals
In humans, the blood type is determined by the ABO system and the Rh factor. Approximately 80% of the world's population is positive, while the rest is negative. If a couple has a husband with a positive Rhesus factor and a wife with a negative Rhesus, then the probability of having children with a positive Rhesus factor is high. In this case, antibodies are formed in the mother’s body that penetrate the placenta into the blood of the embryo and destroy its red blood cells. In animals, antibodies do not cross the placenta, but accumulate in colostrum. After the appearance of the offspring, they enter the body of animals with the first dose, causing the destruction of red blood cells and the death of the offspring. Because of this feature, when breeding, not only the blood groups of farm animals and their offspring are determined, but also the Rh factor. A similar examination is carried out in pigs, horses, cows and other agricultural animals. In the event of a conflict, newborn animals are weaned and fed artificially.