Shouldn't I worry about "rejection" or some type of immune response when tissue from another animal is transplanted?

No, because the cells with surface markers that stimulate an immune response are removed through our processing. Osteo-Allograft is composed of bone. Tissues which may contain immunogenic cells (periosteum, synovium, etc.) are removed during the early part of processing. Any marrow-containing bone is also purged of living cellular materials. As in human medicine, when bone grafts are used for surgeries no matching of tissue type or blood groups is necessary.

What about disease transmission, isn't it possible to introduce disease through allograft?

Our donors are carefully screened. All must be in good systemic health and all canines must have been vaccinated for Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus. Tissues are procured aseptically in a clean room that is 1000 times more clean than a typical operating room. Our processing also involves at least three phases of thorough microbiological testing. Tissues are cultured at procurement, then again during processing, then finally at packaging. As with any tissue transplantation there is always a risk, however VTS strives to minimize this risk through careful donor screening, donor testing, current tissue processing and preservation techniques. We also provide Transplant Records for use at the time of implantation to ensure that we can trace tissues from the donors through all our processing steps to the recipients.

Where do your donors come from?

Our donors are animals who are euthanized for reasons like intractable aggression or irreparable trauma. We have relationships with local veterinary clinics who, when a client has finally decided that their pet must be euthanized, will ask their client if they are interested in having their pet become a tissue donor. The veterinary clinics receive no payment for this. They participate out of a desire to see something as sad as euthanizing an animal, become an event that leads to helping other animals.

Additionally, we have relationships with some breed rescue organizations who, after serious effort, are not able to correct severe aggression in some pets. When the organization, often with the help of a behaviorist, has determined that the animal cannot overcome its aggressive tendencies and therefore must be euthanized because of the danger, they contact us to make arrangements to have the dog become a donor. They do this for the same altruistic reason. Taking something that is sad, and often tragic, and making something positive happen.

We also are contacted by residents of the Puget Sound area who have heard about VTS through the news or through friends. Their veterinarians may or may not have heard of our donor program. We firmly believe that dogs and cats should not be euthanized solely for the purposes of making them donors. Our work is to let local veterinary resources know that if an animal is going to be euthanized for other purposes, tissue donation may be an option to offer some solace to their clients after the loss of a pet.

What is the shelf life of your bone graft?

Frozen grafts should be kept frozen (at least -20°C) until ready for use. If stored at -20°C (or in a standard household freezer), the grafts should be used within 6 months of receipt. Frozen grafts are shipped with an Inventory Card that shows the expiration date for the grafts in that packet if stored at -20°C. If stored at -40°C or colder, grafts can be stored for 5 years. Freeze-dried grafts can be stored refrigerated or at room temperature, and should be used within 1 year of receipt.

How do you use Osteo-Allograft?

Osteo-Allograft is used in much the same manner as autograft. It works best when mixed with patient blood or marrow. Blood or marrow contain the progenitor cells that can respond to the native growth factors in our bone graft matrix. These cells initiate new bone formation.

The product is triple packed. The outermost dust cover contains the foil-packaged graft and the Package Insert & Transplant Record. The foil package can be peeled open by a Technician and contents dropped onto the sterile field. The innermost packet is considered sterile.

Freeze-dried: rehydrate by injecting a small volume (0.5 to 1.0 cc) of a sterile physiologic solution such as saline through the end cap covering the truncated end of the syringe. Rock gently until the Osteo-Allograft changes color slightly. This indicates that the graft has absorbed the solution and is rehydrated. Gently push the Osteo-Allograft out of the truncated syringe and into a sterile basin to mix with patient blood or marrow.

Frozen: Osteo-Allograft should be thawed to room temperature (approximately 10 minutes) before implanting in the patient. There is no need to rehydrate, simply mix with patient blood or marrow and use as you would autograft.

What do I do with expired bone graft?

Expired graft should be discarded as you would any other expired surgical supply. It is not considered a biohazard. We recommend that you mark on the package to indicate that it is expired or not suitable for transplant.