2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Following Dal blood typing of 57 adult beagles, one Dal-negative individual was identified. This index dog was healthy based on physical exam, hematology and biochemistry profiles. The index dog and potential blood donors were extensively blood typed for DEA 1.1, 1.X, 3, 4, 5, 7 and Dal using tube and gel column techniques, as well as Alvedia DEA 1 lab test. To avoid fluid overload, 15 ml/kg of blood was first collected from the index dog following mild sedation (butorphanol 0,2 mg/kg). A transfusion of Dal+ packed red blood cells was administered over 4 hours (80 ml; 10 ml/kg). During and following the transfusion (1 week), the index dog was closely monitored, including for PCV/TS, bilirubinemia, hematuria and hemoglobinuria. Blood samples were collected post-transfusion at days 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 14, 21, 28 (6 ml/sample), and then once a month (100 ml) for one year. Several Coomb's tests were performed (day 1, 6 and 7; week 10). As soon as anti-Dal antibodies were detected, agglutination titers, which is define as the highest serum dilution where a positive agglutination reaction is observed, were performed in duplicate using two-fold dilutions of fresh serum (gel column technique). The immunoglobulin type was determined at week 12 following sulfhydryl treatments. Agglutination titers were also performed on frozen serum aliquots over time to evaluate the stability of the polyclonal anti-Dal antibodies through freezing. Finally, 65 dogs were blood typed using the polyclonal anti-Dal antibody produced by this index dog as well as previously documented anti-Dal reagent.