CALL FOR HEARTS FROM DECEASED DOGS

Dr. Kate Meurs, our funded boxer cardiomyopathy researcher, is in need of hearts from boxers known to have signs/symptoms or Holter recordings indicative of cardiomyopathy or from dogs that die suddenly and mysteriously. Anyone can participate. The hearts must be prepared in such a way that they will be adequately preserved. Please give the following information to your veterinarian if you wish to participate in this study:

Once the heart is removed, manually squeeze all chambers to express the blood, then insert a red rubber feeding tube into the pulmonary artery and aorta flushing a large volume of cold water into each vessel to assist in removing the blood. Lastly, formalin is then directly flushed into the PA and aorta using enough quantity to visibly fill up each chamber. The heart is then placed into a large container containing buffered formalin. If a large glass jar is used, the lid must be securely tightened, then taped and very well surrounded by bubble wrap or other packaging to avoid breakage. Hearts preserved in this manner may be sent to:

Dr. Kathryn Meurs
Washington State University
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
Grimes Way
Pullman, WA 99164-6610
Phone: 509-335-0711
Phone: 509-335-0751
Website: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/

If you call Dr. Meurs in advance, she will give you a Fed-Ex account number to use to ship the heart.