Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), discusses cross-matching and blood transfusion perceptions and myths. If transfusion records are not appropriate, or if a new veterinary practice assumes a patient has never received a transfusion and they do another mismatch, that could result in very serious consequences or even death.
Source: American Veterinarian, January 15, 2018.
Cross-matching is one of the best ways veterinarians can test compatibility between the blood being transfused into a patient and the patient’s own immune system. Yagi says some veterinarians believe the first transfusion is “free” because there are no antibodies against the most clinically significant antigen on the red cell surface. But other veterinarians have worked toward dispelling this myth.