[Histonet] IHC stainer

[Stephanie Weaver]

I am in a veterinary diagnostic lab.  In the past we have had very few requests for IHC and have always sent slides out to another lab to perform IHC as needed.  It is time for us to start doing our own and join the modern age.  We have several certified technicians, but none have experience with IHC and we typically have a relatively high turnover rate.  Therefore, I am hoping to be able to buy an automated stainer.  In the past most people on the list seemed to be very happy with the Dako autostainer, but this past week has brought so many bad remarks about Dako's service that I am reconsidering.  We probably will not need a high capacity autostainer, but I would like walk-away capability with an easy to use system.  It will need to accept other companies reagents, since veterinary infectious disease antibodies aren't often sold by the major companies.  Also, cost is an issue and I would like to be able to bargain shop for reagents through other companies.  Does anyone have any recommendations, or warnings as to what to avoid?

In a related issue, where do other animal tissue people get their antibodies for infectious diseases, e.g. Parvovirus, canine distemper, or FIP?

Thanks for the advice!




Stephanie Weaver
Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab