Comparative study of six alternative solutions for embalming dogs for gross dissection and as fixatives for histological studies / Jojo D. Cauilan

Thesis (Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine) -- University of the Philippines Los Baños,May2018.

This study was conducted to compare the efficiency of six alternative fixative
solutions with formalin fixation of dog specimen for gross and histological studies.
thirty-five non-descript dogs with the body condition score range of 3-5 out of 1-9
were used and euthanized via the common carotid artery. They were divided into seven
treatment groups with five animals per treatment by stratified sampling. Animals in each
treatment group were embalmed with formaldehyde (Tl), Soap Ethanol-based Fixing
Solution (T2), Weigner's Solution (T3), modified SEFS 1 (T4), modified SEFS 2 (T5),
modified Weigner's Solution 1 (T6) and modified Weigner's Solution 2 (T7). Color,
texture, haptic property and conjunctival irritation scoring was done once a month for five
months.

Bacterial and fungal isolation was conducted to determine the presence of
microbes. One non-descript dog was used for histological study and tissue samples were
collected, fixed with the six alternative solutions and formalin solution, then subjected to
routine paraffin technique at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post-fixation.
Results revealed that dog specimen fixed with solution from Treatment 6 presented
a life-like color and consistencies which are very important in studying gross anatomy.

However, histological studies revealed that alternative fixing solutions were less effective
with formalin fixation. Fungal and bacterial identification revealed the presence of
microbes while no fungal growths were observed. Cost analysis showed that formalin
solution remains the cheapest of the solutions.
In conclusion, Treatment 6 can be used as an alternative fixative for gross
anatomical studies considering the factors in selection of the type of fixative required for
dissection. Histologically, formalin solution was still the best solution for tissue fixation
although alternative fixative solutions presented in the study can be used but only for a
limited time period of24 hours.