The most widely used blood grouping system is the Dog Erythrocyte Antigen system (DEA)
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| See also:
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|'''[[Transfusion Medicine - Introduction|Transfusion Medicine - Introduction]]<br>[[Blood Collection for Transfusion|Blood Collection for Transfusion]]<br>[[Blood Groups - Cat|Blood Groups - Cat ]]'''
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The most widely used blood grouping system is the Dog Erythrocyte Antigen system (DEA)and within this system eight blood groups exist.
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DEA 1 (DEA 1.1 DEA 1.2), DEA2 - DEA 7. DEA 1.1 and DEA 1.2 are the most antigenic.
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==Alloantibodies==
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Unlike [[Blood Groups - Cat|cats]] dogs do not have natural alloantibodies against other blood groups unless a transfusion has been performed.
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There is no major risk for the first transfusion and consequently unlike the cat compatibility tests are not required.
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Following the first transfusion of blood, alloantibodies form within 5-7 days. If a second tranfusion is required 5 days later than the original transfusion compatibility tests are required.