Frequency of blood types DEA 1.1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 in Kangal dog

Despite clinical significance of the blood typing, relatively little is known about the prevalence of canine blood groups. This study aimed to determine the frequency of blood types DEA 1.1, 4, 5. and 7 in Kangal dogs, a Turkish shepherd dog. A total of 198 Kangal dogs were surveyed from local government organizations and private breeders living around Kangal town of Sivas province in Eastern Turkey. Blood typing was performed using tube agglutination assay. Of the 198 dogs, 61.1% had DEA 1.1 positive reactions. Approximately one fourth of dogs (232%) were positive for DEA 3. All dogs (100%) were positive for DEA 4. Prevalence of DEA 5 and 7 positive dots wits 55.5% and 71.7% respectively. The most common blood type, were DEA 1.1, 4 and 7. DEA 4 does not seem to be important for Kangal dogs in terms of transfusion medicine, since all dots have DEA 4 positivity. The prevalence and antigenic properties of DEA 1.1 and 7 are significantly high, which might create acute hemolytic transfusion reactions if unmatched transfusion is performed in Turkish Kangal dogs.