Past Clinical Trials and Studies

This section highlights some of our past clinical trials and studies, with publication information if applicable.  Publication links will take you to PubMed.

 
Cardiology
Clinical Pathology
Large Animal Medicine
Neurology
Small Animal Medicine
Small Animal Surgery

 
Cardiology

Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder studies
Investigators: Anthony H. Tobias, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (Cardiology), Thaibinh P. Nguyenba, DVM

This research involved the design and development of a novel device specifically to conform to the morphology of patent ductus arteriosus in dogs and a minimally invasive per-catheter procedure for device delivery in this species. Studies continue in this area with the next investigation to be of small dogs (<= 3kg).

Publications:
Nguyenba TP, Tobias AH. Minimally invasive per-catheter patent ductus arteriosus occlusion in dogs using a prototype duct occluder. J Vet Intern Med. 2008 Jan-Feb;22(1):129-34
Nguyenba TP, Tobias AH. The Amplatz® Canine Duct Occluder: a novel device for patent ductus arteriosus occlusion.  Journal of Veterinary Cardiology 2007; 9: 109-117.

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Body Fluid Volume and Cardiac Effects of Methylprednisolone in Cats

Cats that required corticosteriod therapy for dermatologic disorders were studied pre- and post-injection of methylprednisolone.

Publication: Ployngam T, Tobias AH, Smith SA, Torres SM, Ross SJ. Hemodynamic effects of methylprednisolone acetate administration in cats. Am J Vet Res. 2006 Apr;67(4):583-7.

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Clinical Pathology

Evaluation of Feline Antithrombin and D-dimer Concentrations in Populations of Healthy and Clinically Ill Cats

Clotting disturbances are the end result of many serious feline diseases and frequently the cause of the death. Current clotting tests for cats detect only severe changes in clotting.  This study evaluated two laboratory tests to determine how useful and accurate they are.

The investigators found that the chromogenic antithrombin (AT) assay appeared to measure AT in cats but was not helpful in diagnosing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).  The immunoturbidimetric D-dimer assay was not found to be useful for the diagnosis of DIC in cats.

Publication: Brazzell, JL, Borjesson, DL. Evaluation of plasma antithrombin activity and D-dimer concentration in populations of healthy cats, clinically ill cats, and cats with cardiomyopathy. Vet Clin Pathol. 2007 Mar;36(1):79-84.

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Large Animal Medicine

Identification of normal parameters for ultrasonographic examination of the equine large colon and cecum.  Investigators: E Malone and E Hendrickson.

Most colics are treated medically with fluids, restricting food, pain relief and exercise. However, about 8% require surgery. Rectal examinations, response to pain medications and ultrasound are some of the common tools use to determine if surgery is necessary. Ultrasound is useful to identify a distended small intestine, nephrosplenic displacements, intussusceptions, hernias and abdominal fluid for analysis. It has been purported to be useful to differentiate portions of the colon by changes in anatomy. In particular, the dorsal (next to the backbone) colon is smooth, while the ventral (next to the belly) colon has sacculations (more folded). Our goal was to map the large colon extensively to determine how best to differentiate dorsal versus ventral colon. This would be of assistance in determining colonic displacements.

For this study we examined 6 healthy mares. The mares were clipped to allow detailed ultrasound examination and both sides and belly were ultrasounded (a total of 40 sites in each mare). We measured sacculation length (the appearance of the folds), objective vertical contractile activity (depth of contraction and frequency of contraction), and subjective horizontal contractile activity (mild, moderate, continuous).

We found that the sacculations were smallest in the area of the cecum (right side, flank region). This area also had the most vertical activity. Otherwise, there were no differences in activity or appearance.

Unfortunately, our results suggest that it is not possible to differentiate the horse dorsal colon from the ventral colon via ultrasound. This calls into question previous studies which have assumed it was possible to tell the difference and will make it necessary to find other ways to assist in determining if colonic displacement is present.

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Neurology

Clinical characteristics and inheritance of idiopathic epilepsy in Vizslas.

Publication: Patterson EE, Da Y, Mickelson JR, Roberts MC, McVey A, O Brien D, Johnson GS, Armstrong PJ. (2003) Clinical characteristics and inheritance of idiopathic epilepsy in Vizslas. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 17(3): 319-325.

For more information, please see the Canine Epilepsy Network website.

Results of a Ketogenic Food Trial for Dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy

Publication: Patterson EE.  Results of a Ketogenic Food Trial for Dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy. University of Minnesota PhD Thesis (Chapter 4). © Edward Earl Patterson 2004.

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Small Animal Medicine

Efficacy and safety of lithotripsy

Dr. Jody Lulich evaluated lithotripsy as a method of removing stones from the urinary bladder of dogs as an alternative to surgery.  The laser lithotripter breaks up stones into tiny fragments using thermal energy. These stones are then eliminated through urination. The procedure is done under anesthesia using a cystoscope to visualize stones and to accurately aim the laser. 

This procedure is now available as a standard of care in the Veterinary Medical Center. 

Human Intravenous Immune Globulin in Dogs with Primary Immune-mediated Thrombocytopenia (IMT).  
Investigators:
Domenico Bianco, DVM
P. Jane Armstrong, DVM, MS, MBA, DACVIM
Robert Washabau, VMD, PhD, DACVIM

This study was designed to compare the effects of human intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoid versus glucocorticoid alone on platelet count recovery, morbidity, mortality, hospitalization time, and cost in dogs with acute immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.  40 dogs were enrolled with acute immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.  Results are pending publication.

Related publication: Treatment of severe immune-mediated thrombocytopenia with human IV immunoglobulin in 5 dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2007 Jul-Aug;21(4):694-9.

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Small Animal Surgery

Efficacy of Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid (“Hyvisc”) In Dogs.  A clinical trial of hyaluronic acid HA) as a treatment for pain.

This study looked at the effectiveness of injectable hyaluronic acid in treating pain in the elbows of client-owned dogs.  Results are pending.  The investigators were Drs. Cheri Nielsen and G. Elizabeth Pluhar.

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