In vitro compatibility of type-B feline blood with canine blood of different DEA 1 phenotypes and with type-A feline blood.
Spada E, Perego R, Di Giancamillo M, Giudice C, Longo M, Baggiani L, Zuliani A, Biondi V, Proverbio D · Veterinary Journal · 11 June 2026
Canine packed RBCs may serve as emergency transfusion for type-B cats; avoid canine plasma.
This in vitro study evaluated the compatibility of type-B feline blood with canine blood of different DEA 1 phenotypes and type-A feline blood using slide-agglutination crossmatching. Blood samples from 70 type-B cats, 17 type-A cats, 26 DEA 1-positive dogs, and 18 DEA 1-negative dogs were analyzed. Major crossmatch incompatibility occurred in 28.7% of canine tests versus 98.6% of type-A feline tests, indicating significantly lower risk with canine blood (RR 3.4). However, minor crossmatch incompatibility was substantially higher with canine plasma (85.3%) compared to type-A feline plasma (37.7%), with canine plasma carrying 2.2-fold increased risk. No significant differences emerged between DEA 1-positive and DEA 1-negative canine donors or among DEA 1-positive phenotype variants. These findings suggest canine packed red blood cells may serve as a cautious emergency option for type-B cats lacking compatible feline blood, but canine plasma is unsuitable due to high minor incompatibility rates.
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