Small Animal Surgery

Welcome to the Small Animal Surgery Studies Page!

If you would like more information about a study, or think you would like to enroll your pet, contact the person listed under the study. You may also Contact Us at the CIC.

Treatment of the fragmentation of the coronoid process and dGEMRIC as an objective means to evaluate the progression of osteoarthritis

Current Status:  Active and enrolling
Principal Investigators:
Michael Conzemius, DVM, PhD, DACVS
Katja Wucherer, DVM
Kristina Kiefer, DVM
Contact: Sara Pracht, study technician, at 612-626-3574, prach011@umn.edu

We are looking for dogs that have been diagnosed or are suspected to have elbow dysplasia. Our study is investigating the use of MRI to look at early cartilage changes in dogs with a fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP) and to explore the effectiveness of stem cell therapy.

Study requirements:

• Dogs that have been diagnosed with FCP through physical exam and x-rays and have been evaluated for overall health with blood work and urinalysis
• Be off of nonsteriodal anti-inflammatories for 1 week prior to the first visit
• Owner willing to cover costs of arthroscopy to remove fragment(s)

Compensation:

• Two MRIs of your dog's elbow
• Stem cell therapy and proximal ulnar osteotomy (surgery)
• Recheck exams and x-rays
• Gait analysis

To see if a dog qualifies, please contact study technician Sara Pracht: 612-626-3574, prach011@umn.edu.

Field effectiveness and safety of study drug for the control of post-operative pain and inflammation associated with stabilization of the stifle joint in dogs

Current Status: Enrollment closed.
Principal Investigators:
Michael Conzemius, DVM, PhD, DACVS
Vicki Wilke, DVM, PhD, DACVS
Contact: Sara Pracht, study technician, at 612-626-3574, prach011@umn.edu

This study is being conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational new drug for the control of post-operative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgery in dogs. This is a negative controlled study with a rescue clause, meaning your dog may receive the new drug or may receive placebo. We are looking for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture which are otherwise healthy, 6 months old or older, weighing at least 11 lbs. Certain medications will have to be discontinued prior to enrolling in the study.

The study involves a screening visit, then the surgery stay of about 3 days. We will ask owners to drop off dogs the night before surgery to let the dog become used to the surroundings. The day of surgery, all dogs will receive pre-operative pain medication. Prior to surgery, one group of dogs will also receive the new drug, the other group will receive placebo. TPLO or TTA surgery will take place as it normally would for any patient. Following surgery we will be monitoring each patient for post-operative pain. If the study veterinarian feels that the dog is in discomfort at any time, he/she will discontinue the administration of the study medication and will give additional medications to ensure your dog's comfort.

Costs of the surgery, lab tests, hospitalization and monitoring are paid for by the study (a $1500 value). The owner will be required to cover costs outside of these procedures.

For more information, please contact study technician Sara Pracht: 612-626-3574, prach011@umn.edu.

Does Intra-articular botulinum toxin (Botox) relieve joint pain in dogs with elbow arthritis? 

Current Status:  Active and enrolling
Principal Investigators:
Liz Pluhar, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVS
Diana Davila, DVM
Contact:
Dr. Davila at 612-624-5308, dallevat@umn.edu
Sara Pracht, study technician, at 612-626-3574, prach011@umn.edu

We are looking for healthy dogs diagnosed with chronic elbow osteoarthritis to study the the use of Botox in pain relief compared to placebo.

Study requirements:

• Dogs > 20 kg with an obvious gait abnormality (one forelimb clinically worse than the other)
• Previous complete orthopedic and neurological examination with radiographs to confirm the diagnosis

Description of study:

• Two randomly assigned groups: Botox vs. placebo (saline) injections
• Pain relief is monitored via client questionnaires, lameness examinations, elbow measurements, and force platform gait analysis.  Recheck examinations are at 1, 3, and 6 months.
• Once enrolled, the study covers the cost of injection, and all recheck examinations.

To see if a dog qualifies, please contact Dr. Davila or Sara Pracht (see above).

For more information about the Surgical Research Laboratory, please see our website:  http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vcs/surgery/srl/home.html