Yes animals have blood types, many more than humans. In fact, 8 to 12 blood groups are recognized in canines. And don't you remember, it was the Rhesus monkey that helped scientists discover the RH factor of blood.
While animal blood types differ from human blood types there is no need to worry about ingestion of meat from an animal. In order to be affected by a different blood type it would have to be due to a transfusion of blood, that is blood entering into your circulatory system by ways of veins. You are merely swallowing meat (and I would hope it would be cooked well enough so that there was no blood remaining!) and the meat enters into your stomach, nutrients are absorbed in the intestines, and then the waste is past out of your system. To sum it up, have no fears!
Posts: 9192 | Location: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
You gals have me thinking that when a vet performs an operation, he/she must have extra blood of a particular type on hand. Before, I imagined that animals all had the same blood type! That made eating meat a little easier to swallow! No, I do not eat that much meat lest someone be repulsed.
Interesting question... Unfortunately there are no national blood banks for vets to use. So, animals needing fresh blood have to rely on the good will of clients and staff who allow their animals to donate blood. Many local vets will allow you to register your pet to be a donor.
Posts: 9192 | Location: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
I didn't see the vet actually collect it but - In 1980 I had a poodle who received a blood transfusion in the vet's office. The vet used a huge hypodermic syringe and very slowly and painstakingly injected it into my dog's vein. I had never heard of this before.
(FYI - Yes, the dog did recover - don't know if it was parvo or what. By the time the transfusion was over, 'Pierre was sitting up and wagging his tail at the nurses! )
Posts: 6323 | Location: LA (Lower Alabama) USA | Registered: 06-03-02
Thanks, ladies, for the interesting overview of a serious vet visit. The cat is my sister's, and sometimes I think that she (the cat) eats better than we do, which is probably why she (the cat) has never been to the vet since babyhood.
Oooh, your sis really should take her cat to the vet once a year for innoculations. There are 3 recommended ones...and a rabies shot is required here in GA.
Posts: 9192 | Location: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
I cannot imagine trying to get Minnie to visit a vet, and she is healthy. Since my sister is a nurse, she says that she would know when the time for a vet visit would be necessary. It is a plus to have a super whose daughter is a vet.
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