Canine and feline transfusions are life-saving procedures that have become increasingly common in veterinary medicine. Laboratory testing plays a vital role in transfusion medicine, particularly in the prevention and diagnosis of transfusion reactions. Laboratory tests should be used to screen donors for their general health and for the presence of any blood-borne pathogens. Pretransfusion blood typing and compatibility testing make immunologic reactions less likely, and commercial typing and crossmatching kits are now available. Appropriate diagnostic tests in the face of a potential transfusion reaction are important to tailor effective therapy.
