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Important .....Volunteers wanted

Margaret C

Well-known member
As many here will know Tania and I co-ordinate a scheme that helps and encourages cavalier owners to volunteer their dogs for post-mortem and cell tissue donation when they die.

We make the arrangements, pay the costs and make sure the individually cremated ashes are safely returned to the owner.

It is possible that there may soon be a little cavalier body that will need transporting from a veterinary practice near Clacton on Sea to Stansted Motorway Services.

I or another volunteer would then relay the little dog on to Cambridge Vet. Hospital for post-mortem.


I know that this is a subject that makes many people uneasy, but the samples of tissue obtained from these much loved pets are vital for research projects into the diseases that affect cavaliers. It is really really important.

If you want to know more about the Collection Scheme http://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/collection.htm

If you think you may be able to help with the relay........ please PM me or Tania, or phone one of us on the numbers shown on that link.

Many thanks,
 
I wish I could help, I live in the U.S. It seems like you guys over seas are doing all the hard work and we reap the rewards.
 
It is so sad to think of this dogs owners and the sadness they will be feeling but such a valuable cause!! Margaret I would like to know if there is a register for this as I felt it was better to discuss it in advance with our family and would like to think we will do this when one of ours passes away.

I am on the organ donor register so at some point may help another after my death and I think it would be nice if in a different way Barney or Cassie might do the same...
 
Margaret
I can't help out on this one - but you can add me to your list of volunteers for the future.
 
Important .......volunteers wanted

As many here will know Tania and I co-ordinate a scheme that helps and encourages cavalier owners to volunteer their dogs for post-mortem and cell tissue donation when they die.

We make the arrangements, pay the costs and make sure the individually cremated ashes are safely returned to the owner.

It is possible that there may soon be a little cavalier body that will need transporting from a veterinary practice near Clacton on Sea to Stansted Motorway Services.

I or another volunteer would then relay the little dog on to Cambridge Vet. Hospital for post-mortem.


I know that this is a subject that makes many people uneasy, but the samples of tissue obtained from these much loved pets are vital for research projects into the diseases that affect cavaliers. It is really really important.

If you want to know more about the Collection Scheme http://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/collection.htm

If you think you may be able to help with the relay........ please PM me or Tania, or phone one of us on the numbers shown on that link.

Many thanks,


IMPORTANT..... VOLUNTEERS WANTED


Margaret,

I have often thought about this when our Cavaliers were alive and suffering from MVD , if their wee Bodies could have Helped with the Research into Heart- Breaking problem for Cavaliers .

It's too late now , but is there any way some of us could, who have had so many Tears because of losing our 4 Legged Friends because of MVD and now SM, give some Money to help with the Funds for this Scheme.

Bet
 
When I knew I was going to have to put my beautiful Russie down due to heart problems just before his tenth birthday, Margaret was a great help in sorting me out with respect to donating his heart to Dr Corcoran at the Edinburgh Vet School for future research. My own vets did the autopsy and sent his heart valves (both of which had failed) off to Edninburgh for me. Russie's remains came home to be buried instead of him having the more usual cremation. It made my loss a little less hard to bear as I know that Russie's heart will be helping other Cavaliers with MVD, and I would encourage anyone who feels they can, to help by donating tissue when they lose their Cavalier. Many breeders are doing similar by donating fetal tissue when they lose a puppy at birth or at a very young age - they at least know that this way those poor little unlived lives have not been entirely wasted.

Like Teresa I am on the (human) donor register - I had a workmate whose brother needed two kidney transplants, and I also knew another girl from work who was given a new lease of life through a more unusual liver transplant, so I know first hand just how valuable this type of gift can be, whether for dog or human recipient.

Rosemary

PS: We buried Russie on Easter Saturday (what should have been his birthday) three years ago, so this is a rather sad time memory wise for me.
 
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Oh Rosemary, so sorry this is such a rough time for you. But, I can certainly understand.

Does anyone know if there is a similar type of thing that happens here in the US?
 
Back in the 1990's, cardiologist James Buchanan had a research project going that was seeking hearts and femoral arteries from deceased Cavaliers. When my first Cavalier, Bonnie, died in 1997, my vet removed her heart and femoral arteries and I fedexed them to Dr. Buchanan at the Univ of PA. (Bonnie, minus those parts, was cremated at a local pet crematory.) I also sent Dr. Buchanan all of her chest radiographs and copies of her cardiology reports and blood chem reports and a detailed health history. In turn, Dr. Buchanan sent me a long report of his findings. Bonnie did not die from heart failure, by the way.

I don't know when that project ended, and I'm not aware of other similar projects in the US. Rod would likely know if there are current projects seeking samples from deceased Cavaliers.

Pat
 
I am lucky heart wise with Barney he will be nine on the 27th and has a fabulous heart...barely audible murmour :)) He has mild symptoms of SM and some strange things going on at the mo but with meds doesn't seem to be at all unwell...I count my blessing and hope the same for Cassie. Unless breeders follow the guidelines and we volunteer our lovelies for research how else will the breed move forward??

I was more than happy with where we got Cassie from and would rather go to a show breeder who I trust with lots of experience breeding than get a pup elsewhere. Openess an honesty is what we need :)
 
Back in the 1990's, cardiologist James Buchanan had a research project going that was seeking hearts and femoral arteries from deceased Cavaliers. When my first Cavalier, Bonnie, died in 1997, my vet removed her heart and femoral arteries and I fedexed them to Dr. Buchanan at the Univ of PA. (Bonnie, minus those parts, was cremated at a local pet crematory.) I also sent Dr. Buchanan all of her chest radiographs and copies of her cardiology reports and blood chem reports and a detailed health history. In turn, Dr. Buchanan sent me a long report of his findings. Bonnie did not die from heart failure, by the way.

I don't know when that project ended, and I'm not aware of other similar projects in the US. Rod would likely know if there are current projects seeking samples from deceased Cavaliers.

Pat

I hate to think of ella passing, but when the time comes, I would like it to at least benefit research. If anyone, rod etc., knows of something in the usa, please pm me or let me know.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
 
It is so sad to think of this dogs owners and the sadness they will be feeling but such a valuable cause!! Margaret I would like to know if there is a register for this as I felt it was better to discuss it in advance with our family and would like to think we will do this when one of ours passes away.

I am on the organ donor register so at some point may help another after my death and I think it would be nice if in a different way Barney or Cassie might do the same...

We will send out pre-registration forms and information for owners to any one in the UK that asks.

Obviously it is owners of frail or sick cavaliers that usually contact us.

Often the dog is dying, although sometimes seriously ill little dogs have been registered and then rallied to live for many months longer.
We have a little joke that being registered with us can give a frail dog a new lease of life.

It is not just cavaliers, the aim is to help our three main researchers obtain samples from any dog that they think will help their cavalier research. For instance we have a SM affected cavalier cross registered.

We appreciate being offered any cavalier, of any age. Cavaliers that have been MRI'd are especially important for the gene research.
 
I wish I could help, I live in the U.S. It seems like you guys over seas are doing all the hard work and we reap the rewards.

Funds are always needed. Even a small trickle of funds from small initiatives ( selling stuff on eBay for instance or a coffee morning ) means we pay for another little body to be transported, post-mortemed and individually cremated.
And of course the research will benefit cavaliers worldwide

Tania is going to be selling some wonderful new items soon to benefit both the Collection Scheme and Ruperts Fund.


Does anyone know if there is a similar type of thing that happens here in the US?

I do not know that there is a similar scheme in any other country.
There is no reason why it should not happen, but it needs to be done by cavalier owners in the USA.

I have been asked if I would extend the Scheme to other countries and I have looked to see if it would be feasible, but the problems would be insurmountable. Our Scheme only works because we have a good working relationship with researchers who can help us with the contacts they have in veterinary hospitals across the UK.
 
Margaret - I read the link, but can you give more of a description of what exactly is done? If it's a matter of tissue donation, we in the US could help with that by simply fedexing the required tissue that is being collected. That would be similar to what I did with Bonnie's heart and femoral arteries when I participated in the Univ of PA research. That is a whole lot easier and cheaper than sending an entire body and then having the cremains returned. Similarly, I have had necropsies done where certain tissues and organs were sent off to a pathology lab but the remainder of the body was left with me so that I could take care of cremation. The items sent for necropsy are of course not returned so that makes the process easier, less expensive and less emotional. My vet does not charge for collecting tissue and organ samples to be sent off for research so the only cost incurred for me was the fedex charge which I was happy to donate. Even if there was a vet charge to obtain organs/tissues, I'd be willing to pay that myself. It is not clear to me why the researchers require the entire body in this program. If you think the topic may be sensitive to some readers, you may send me a PM. I personally am not at all reluctant to send off organs and tissue samples but I would have to really think about sending an entire body which is much more difficult emotionally particularly for someone like myself who doesn't like to give up "control."

Pat
 
Like Teresa I am on the (human) donor register - I had a workmate whose brother needed two kidney transplants, and I also knew another girl from work who was given a new lease of life through a more unusual liver transplant, so I know first hand just how valuable this type of gift can be, whether for dog or human recipient.

Rosemary

PS: We buried Russie on Easter Saturday (what should have been his birthday) three years ago, so this is a rather sad time memory wise for me.

I was a bone marrow donor many years ago. The Spanish recipient eventually died but the family sent me a message to say how they appreciated the hope I had given them.

I remember your Russie dying. I think I was only collecting SM confirmed dogs for Nick Jeffreys' spinal cord studies at that time but you were determined to donate and you made the arrangements and paid all the costs yourself.
Such a generous gesture.

I always feel sad when these anniversaries come round, but it also reminds me how lucky I was to know and love some very special dogs.
 
I have been asked if I would extend the Scheme to other countries and I have looked to see if it would be feasible, but the problems would be insurmountable. Our Scheme only works because we have a good working relationship with researchers who can help us with the contacts they have in veterinary hospitals across the UK.

But I think the problems would only be insurmountable if you are sending an entire body with expectations of receiving the cremains back. Dr. Buchanan had very precise instructions about necropsy, organ and tissue sample harvest, packaging and shipping. These instructions were given to the vet hospital where the dog died. Also, in this manner, the owner of the deceased Cavalier took care of the necropsy and shipping charges as well as the cremation charges. This really gave good comfort to the bereaved owner as they felt (rightly) that there was a benefit gained even during the loss of their Cavalier. If the owner wasn't financially able to participate but wanted to take part, arrangements could be made for a fund to handle the expenses but many owners would be able to handle the expenses for their particular dog.

Simply sending tissue samples from the US to Montreal would be almost identical as to when I sent Tucker's blood sample to Montreal. I don't know what other measurements and organ samples are needed, but the researchers could draw up a protocol (similar to Dr. Buchanan's) that could be sent directly to the vet hospitals involved. There is no reason that we couldn't work up a scheme in the US if we had direction from the researchers about exactly what they want.

Pat
 
I've been thinking about this.......

I will volunteer Rod and myself to approach researchers and see if there is a similar program that could be set up in the US. As soon as I understand the parameters, I believe that a US scheme can be worked out fairly easily even if it is just for tissue samples to be sent to Montreal. I know that blood and tissue samples are much more useful than cheek swabs for DNA, but I'm just not clear yet on what other tissue/organ samples and measurements are being sought. Many of us here that live in large cities or near vet schools would have no problem getting whatever info/materials are required; we just need to understand which is sought for the research.

Rod - you can thank me privately for volunteering you!! I'll send you an email this evening with my thoughts including a draft email to researchers.

Pat
 
I've been thinking about this.......

I will volunteer Rod and myself to approach researchers and see if there is a similar program that could be set up in the US. As soon as I understand the parameters, I believe that a US scheme can be worked out fairly easily even if it is just for tissue samples to be sent to Montreal. I know that blood and tissue samples are much more useful than cheek swabs for DNA, but I'm just not clear yet on what other tissue/organ samples and measurements are being sought. Many of us here that live in large cities or near vet schools would have no problem getting whatever info/materials are required; we just need to understand which is sought for the research.

Rod - you can thank me privately for volunteering you!! I'll send you an email this evening with my thoughts including a draft email to researchers.

Pat

Thanks pat! (And rod :)) I don't know what to ask like you both do, but you are right. I know that it would lessen the pain or at least make me feel her death contributed to something. Hopefully she will live a lot longer but knowing there would be something to do will help. Let me know more once you know more.

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Margaret - I read the link, but can you give more of a description of what exactly is done?

Hello Pat,

It is late and the description is very involved because no collection is exactly the same, so I may have to return to this another day.

Very briefly what samples we collect depends on the dog's diagnosis, what samples are wanted ( we have three main researchers ) the region the owner lives in, the owner's need to share the dog's last moments with their own vet, or their willingness to travel with the dog and have it PTS at a facility where RNA samples can be taken almost immediately, the amount of cooperation from other busy specialists who are not immediately concerned in cavalier research.

Pet owners as knowlegeable as you do not need someone to make the arrangements for you and it is possible that you are able to pay the extra costs incurred.

In the UK many of those that have donated to the Collection Scheme are on reduced incomes and the extra costs involved could discourage them from donating and leave those valuable tissues lost to the research.
That is why we fund raise and pay the costs, but we try and make sure every collection is as successful as possible so the money is well spent.

At its simplest the Scheme allows the bereaved owner to leave their dead pet at their local GP vet, knowing that someone will transport the body to the pathologist and they will receive the individual ashes back.

These are the easiest collections to deal with, although sometimes the dog has died unexpectedly, and as the postmortem needs to be done within 24 hours, without the body being frozen, there is a period of intense activity while transportation is arranged ( I use contacts with rescue people & local breed club members ) and local pathology facilities are checked for availibility.

Sometimes we are given one or two days notice of euthanasia, so provisional arrangements can be made, but as the quality of the dog's life must be our number one consideration, and there is no way we would want to add to the distress of the owner, those provisional arrangements cannot be activated in any way until the death actually happens.
Sometimes a last minute change of medication will give the dog a new lease of life and everybody is then stood down.

A great many of our cases seem to occur towards the end of the week or bank holidays when there can be no pathology staff available.

We have paid a local vet to take heart & pancreatic tissue, the samples were good and it is something we would do again, but taking samples from a SM confirmed dog for the gene research is thought to be best done by someone with specialist pathology skills.

More to come.............
 
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