Fish organ saves dog's life | HT Tech

Fish organ saves dog's life

Doctors at the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry in Bhubaneswar successfully transplanted fish air sacs in the urinary bladder of dogs.

By: PRASHANT K NANDA (IANS)
| Updated on: Dec 10 2004, 21:05 IST

Help is at hand for dogs with bladder trouble — in a breakthrough, doctors at the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry in Bhubaneswar successfully transplanted fish air sacs in the urinary bladder of dogs.

The success was confirmed through radiography, ultrasonography and laparotomy.

'For the first time in India, we have developed the most cost-effective technique to reconstruct the urinary bladder in case of its damage with fish air sacs, or swim bladder, in dogs,' said college dean BK Sahu.

The air sacs are collected from the local fish market, washed, de-slimed and kept submerged in normal saline mixed with antibiotics and prednisolone, he explained. Thereafter it is processed in three different ways — preserved at 4 degrees Celsius, treated with glutarldehyde and lyophilized prior to transplantation.

The selection of the air sac is very important. The bigger the fish the better is the air sac for medical use.

Selection of the portion of fish air sac with respect to avascularity, uniform thickness and the feel is vital for the success of the cytoplasty in canines, said VSC Bose, head department of surgery of the college.

'Earlier, synthetic materials were used for the reconstruction of the urinary bladder. But this year we just started experimenting and fish air sac proved to be a huge success. We have succeeded in keeping the original contours of the bladder and retaining full urine capacity,' Bose said.

Bladders can get damaged because of stones, tumour operations or when tissues in the organ die.

The college has tested this technique on 12 dogs with 100 per cent success.

'There is no organ reaction or rejection. The body of the canines is accepting the air sacs and there is also no antigenic reaction,' said TK Patnaik, associate professor, surgery.

Looking at the success rate, doctors at the college have started freeze-drying fish air sacs for long-term preservation and easy dispatch to distant places.

Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

First Published Date: 10 Dec, 21:05 IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS