Comparative study of six alternative solutions for embalming dogs for gross dissection studies

Due to its health hazards, the quest for formalin substitutes has long been  going on. This study was conducted to compare the efficiency of six alternative  fixative solutions as to the traditional formalin used to preserve dog specimen  for gross dissection in veterinary anatomy. Dogs (n=35) in each treatment group  were embalmed with 10% formalin (Treatment 1), Soap Ethanol-based Fixing  Solution (Treatment 2), Weigner’s Solution (Treatment 3), modified SEFS 1  (Treatment 4), modified SEFS 2 (Treatment 5), modified Weigner’s Solution 1  (Treatment 6) and modified Weigner’s Solution 2 (Treatment 7). Color, texture,  odor characteristic, and conjunctival irritation scoring was done once a month  for five months by the evaluators. Among the six alternative fixative solutions  used, Treatment 6 had shown results that are most favorable for use in gross  anatomical dissection. 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 such as the retention of color and texture of tissues and  organs, odor characteristic, and conjunctival irritability, and including its nature  of being an environmentally friendly preservative.