I think I really messed up my Mole's feet. I was having trouble skinning out the tiny back feet and didn't want to risk destroying the very cool front feet/claws, so I decided to try injecting them with a preservative-- Formalin. His feet are now very stiff and kinda shriveled. Is there anything I can do to fix this or prevent this look next time? Is Formalin a bad chemical preservative to use? Thanks.
Lesley
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I would use a safer alternative. Try some of Rittels preservz it or something else. Formalin is highy carcinogenic(cancer causing) If you do plan on using the formalin make sure you use eye protection and wear gloves. As for the shrinkage in the feet I am not sure so hopefully someone else can help out there.
Todd B
Formalin is just a preservative, and not a filler. Next time use injectable grade Fantastic Cast to fill out the feet so they don't shrink. This is a 2-part liquid, same stuff used in bird feet and legs.
That makes sense. I will try your suggestion. I guess it is too late to do anything about this one's feet.
Lesley
As Stephen Rogers so eloquently has pointed out in the archives, formulin is no more dangerous that thousands of other products we routinely come into contact with. Formulin works when others fail and there are millions of labs and research facilities all over the world who still depend on it for preservation of animal tissue and to stop decay. It MAY NOT be the safest of those products available today, but they have yet to pass the test of time. I still soak hard horned velvet racks in a sealed barrel of formaldehyde. After a couple of weeks, the rack will be preserved and has less tendency for insect attraction that those injected with the substitutes.
Sometimes we sound like mice instead of men. I agree with George. There are a zillion known carcigens. I have used enough formalin to float a small vessel and am still walking, talking and performing...(wink wink).
Formalin is a fixing agent, and not a good long term preservative in the first place. Try the Epo-Grip injectable for the purpose. It is slow to go, allowing longer working times. Rittel's product is safer, but it too can be hazardous. Common sense should prevail when using the chemicals and products associated with this field. To run away from potentially dangerous materials is to limit your ability to perform.
There are far more hazardous materials under most kitchen sinks than formalin. (By the way, formaldehyde is a GAS. In vitro, that is in an acqueous solution, it is called FORMALIN.)