Can you give goats red cell?

No, goats cannot receive red cell transfusions from other species, including humans. While goats and humans share many similarities, there are important physiological differences that make cross-species blood transfusions risky.

1. Species-Specific Antigens: Red blood cells contain species-specific antigens on their surface. These antigens are recognized by the immune system as foreign when transfused into an individual of a different species. As a result, the recipient's immune system may mount an immune response against the transfused red cells, leading to hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) and potentially life-threatening complications.

2. Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions: Transfusing red cells from a different species can trigger a hemolytic transfusion reaction, which occurs when the recipient's antibodies attack and destroy the transfused red cells. Hemolytic reactions can range from mild to severe, and can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, hemoglobinuria (red-colored urine), and in severe cases, kidney failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a life-threatening condition where widespread blood clotting occurs.

3. Risk of Disease Transmission: Transfusing blood from another species carries the risk of transmitting infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites, that may be present in the donor's blood. Unlike blood transfusions within the same species where rigorous donor screening and testing are performed, cross-species transfusions bypass these safety measures, increasing the likelihood of transmitting diseases.

Therefore, it is not advisable to transfuse red cells from humans or any other species into goats. In veterinary medicine, blood transfusions are typically performed using compatible blood from donors of the same species, following strict blood typing and cross-matching procedures to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the transfusion.