Scientists Evaluate Equine Blood Compatibility, Typing Tests
With more than 400,000 different combinations of equine blood types, veterinarians often face a challenge when finding the best match for horse blood transfusions. | Photo: Erica Larson/The Horse
With more than 400,000 different combinations of equine blood types, veterinarians often face a challenge when finding the best match for horse blood transfusions.

New research by University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) clinicians tested a blood cross-matching method used in human medicine. Results of the study showed that a gel column test is more efficient than the traditional test-tube method, and is equally as effective.

A second portion of the study, conducted simultaneously, involved blood typing. Results showed that using a stall-side test kit is as effective in predicting the Ca blood type as sending the blood to a laboratory.

The Study

The study included 33 horses—22 mares, 10 geldings, and one stallion—ranging from nine to 24 years old. The breeds included 14 Thoroughbreds, 13 Quarter Horses, four Standardbreds, and two Warmbloods

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.