Clinical Studies

A clinical study is a carefully designed investigation used to evaluate certain aspects of the diagnosis or treatment of a specific medical condition. The goal is to find new and better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases of dogs and cats. MedVet’s Clinical Studies Center facilitates high-quality clinical studies to advance the veterinary profession in caring for our beloved pets. 

Current Clinical Studies 

We have successfully completed single center and multi-center clinical studies evaluating diagnostic tests, pharmaceuticals, biologics, surgical procedures, and medical devices for acute and chronic pain, congestive heart failure and other cardiac diseases, osteoarthritis and other orthopedic diseases, cancer, seizure disorders, endocrine diseases, ophthalmologic conditions, and chronic skin diseases. You can explore our current clinical studies below. 

Our board-certified veterinary dermatologists, Dr. Natalie Theus and Dr. Elizabeth Toops at MedVet Columbus are currently enrolling patients in a study for dogs with poorly controlled non-seasonal atopic dermatitis.
Study Eligibility
  • Dogs with a diagnosis of non-seasonal atopic dermatitis
  • Participating dogs will receive the study treatment (mycophenolate, an FDA approved medicine used off-label to treat human AD1)
  • The study duration is 84 days
Study Benefits
  • Veterinary exams and labwork at no cost to the pet owners
  • Difficult to control symptoms of atopic dermatitis may be improved
  • Dogs may experience the improved outcome of symptom relief
  • Clients will receive gift cards as thanks for their participation
Contacts

Notice: Enrollment for this study is presently paused.

To refer a patient for participation or learn more about the clinical study, please contact:

Edna Moore, Clinical Studies Supervisor
clinicalstudies@medvet.com
614.874.1271

We appreciate your assistance and look forward to working with you.

MedVet Mandeville, MedVet Northern Virginia, and WestVet Boise are currently enrolling patients in a study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of a new insulin therapy that is given once a week.
Study Eligibility
  • Dogs recently diagnosed with diabetes or previously diagnosed with diabetes and currently receiving insulin
  • Has not been diagnosed with or treated for DKA in the past month. If recently treated for DKA, must be considered medically stable
  • Cannot have uncontrolled concurrent conditions (well-controlled hyperadrenocorticism is okay)
  • Cannot be resistant to insulin therapy
Requirements
Qualified patients and owners:
  • Must be able to return for all scheduled study visits
  • Must monitor the pet’s clinical signs throughout the study
  • Must be able to administer medication as instructed
Client Savings
Qualified participants receive (at no cost):
  • Visits with a Board-Certified Internal Medicine Specialist
  • Medications and laboratory testing
  • Financial support for the transition back to conventional insulin at the end of the study
Contacts
MedVet Mandeville
Jill Yates, DVM, Diplomate, ACVIM (SAIM)
im.mand@medvet.com
985.626.4862
MedVet Northern Virginia
Sybille Miller, DVM, Diplomate, ACVIM (SAIM)
im.nova@medvet.com
703.361.8287
WestVet Boise
Victoria Ochoa, DVM, MS, Diplomate, ACVIM (SAIM)
internalmedicine@westvet.net
208.375.1600

NOTICE: ENROLLMENT PAUSED
MedVet Indianapolis is currently enrolling cats with chronic gingivostomatitis that have not responded to standard treatment in a study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a stem cell-based therapy. This study is the result of research completed at UC Davis.
Study Eligibility
  • Cats must be at least 1 year old and greater than or equal to 2 kg
  • Cats must have a documented diagnosis of FCGS
  • Cats must have undergone standard of care therapy including full or pre-molar tooth extractions and have been non-responsive for at least three to six months following extractions and ongoing medical therapy
  • Cats with co-morbidities are allowed if they will not interfere with treatment or evaluation of efficacy
  • Owners must be able to return for all study visits over a 12-month period
  • Cats may not have any planned surgical procedures for the duration of the study
  • Cats must be free of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant therapy for 28 days prior to stem cell-based therapy and remain off those therapies during the study. Cats can be receiving these therapies at the time of the first examination
Client Savings
Qualified participants receive (at no cost):
  • Lab work and stem cell therapy will be provided to the owner at no charge
  • The sponsor will also cover a significant portion of the administration costs
Contacts

Edna Moore, Clinical Studies Supervisor
edna.moore@medvet.com
614.874.1271

This is a USDA regulated scientific study.  Enrollment is limited to dogs with osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma and transitional cell carcinoma. The vaccine is currently provided at no charge to the owner.  As this is not a fully funded study, all costs associated with office visits, diagnostics and vaccine administration are the responsibility of the owner.  If the vaccine receives approval, it will no longer be provided at no cost. MedVet Chicago, MedVet Cincinnati, MedVet Cleveland, MedVet Northern Virginia, MedVet Pittsburgh, and MedVet Salt Lake City are currently enrolling patients. Please note that MedVet Northern Virginia is currently only accepting dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of osteosarcoma.

Study Enrollment Criteria
  • Histologically (biopsy) confirmed diagnosis of osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, or transitional cell carcinoma. An exception may be made if the dog has a long bone (limb) lesion consistent with osteosarcoma and the owner has elected not to pursue amputation.
  • If amputation is planned, the first dose of vaccine can be administered following the amputation.
  • Anticipated survival of greater than 3 months as determined by the evaluating oncologist.
  • While dogs with metastases may be enrolled in the study, this will be based on the extent/volume of disease and prognosis.
  • Dogs cannot be enrolled if they are receiving other immunotherapies or alternative therapies or are enrolled in another clinical study. Traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy are allowed.
Required Testing
All costs associated with evaluation and testing are the responsibility of the pet owner and are not covered by the study. You will be provided with a cost estimate for all required and any additional recommended testing.
  • Chest x-rays, CBC, biochemical profile, and urinalysis at baseline prior to vaccine administration. Testing completed within seven days will likely be acceptable.
  • Chest x-rays must be repeated at 3, 6, and 9 months
  • A blood sample will be collected at each visit (baseline, day 21, day 40-50, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months) for research purposes.
  • Strict adherence to the vaccine administration guidelines is required. A booster vaccine must be given 21 days following the initial dose. It is allowable to administer the booster 1 day early or up to 7 days late if necessary due to appointment availability or if the administration day falls on a weekend or holiday.
Contacts
For questions, e-mail clinicalstudies@medvet.com.

MedVet Columbus is currently enrolling dogs diagnosed with immune-mediated Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (“dry eye”) in a clinical study evaluating the use of an investigational new drug in the treatment of KCS in dogs.
Study Eligibility
  • Dogs must be ≥ 6 months old
  • Diagnosis of KCS based on history and/or ophthalmic examination
  • Schirmer Tear Test (STT) of ≥ 2 mm/minute and ≤ 10 mm/minute in one or both eyes
  • Dogs must have a score of 2 or above on at least 2 of the 3 conjunctival signs associated with KCS
  • Owner must be willing to comply with the protocol restrictions and the visit schedule
  • Dogs with chronic medical conditions (for example, endocrinopathies, cardiovascular conditions, atopy, etc.) are permitted, but such conditions must be stabilized prior to enrolling the dog in the study and these animals must not be receiving prohibited concomitant medications
Exclusion Criteria
  • Dogs with non-KCS ophthalmic conditions that require one or more ophthalmic medications (e.g., glaucoma)
  • Dog diagnosed with KCS at < 6 months of age in order to exclude dogs that may have congenital alacrima
  • Suspected neurogenic KCS
  • History of removal of the third eyelid gland in the affected eye(s)
  • KCS associated with a diagnosis of canine distemper
  • History of parotid duct transposition in the affected eye(s)
  • Punctal plugs in the affected eye(s)
  • Non-healed corneal ulcers
  • History of local radiation therapy in the ocular region
  • Other exclusion criteria not listed above will be discussed with you, include certain prohibited concomitant medication
Study Information

Your dog will be screened to confirm that it fulfills the inclusion/exclusion criteria for this study. During screening, procedures include obtaining medical history, physical examination, blood and urine collection, obtaining a body weight, and an eye examination will be performed. This is a randomized, masked, negatively-controlled trial. Your dog will be randomly assigned to receive the investigational drug or a negative control product (sterile buffered saline). Neither you nor your veterinarian will be aware of whether your pet is assigned to receive the investigational drug or negative control product. Patients will be randomly assigned based on order of eligibility for enrollment to one of the two treatment groups in a 2:1 ratio of investigational drug to negative control product. If your dog is enrolled in the study, you, the owner/undersigned, will be asked to administer treatments to your dog pursuant to Sponsor’s instructions, which will be provided by your veterinarian.

Client Savings

Your dog will receive treatment under this study, including all tests, procedures, and medications, at no cost to you. If your dog has an allergic reaction or is injured as a result of participating in the study, the Sponsor will work with your veterinarian to cover reasonable expenses related to treatment of such reaction or injury. There are no additional expenses for participating in this study. If your pet is excluded or removed from the study, but requires continued care for eye disease, future examinations and procedures will NOT be covered by the research study. An estimate of costs for which you will be responsible will be prepared for you at the time of admission.

Contact

If you are interested in the study and would like to learn more, please reach out to Dr. Terah Webb.­

MedVet Akron and MedVet Salt Lake City are currently enrolling patients in a multicenter, fully funded clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of verdinexor for the treatment of naïve or first relapse lymphoma in dogs.
Study Eligibility
We are enrolling canine patients meeting the following criteria:
  • At least 1 year old
  • Weighs at least 19 lb
  • Confirmed diagnosis of lymphoma by cytology or biopsy
  • Dog has not received any treatment for lymphoma OR has failed a single round of any chemotherapy
  • Has not received prior radiation and/or immunotherapy specifically for the treatment of lymphoma
  • Is not participating in another study or receiving an investigational therapy
  • Is not lactating, pregnant, or intended for breeding
*Other study inclusion and exclusion criteria apply. The MedVet Medical Oncologist will decide if your patient is a good candidate for this study after examination.*
Study Information
The study is a “controlled” study, which means that some participants receive treatment and others receive a placebo. The treatment or placebo tablets are to be administered with food twice weekly for eight weeks.
This study is also “blinded” or “masked,” meaning that neither you nor the veterinarian making observations will know if your patient received the treatment.
  • Must be able to return for all scheduled study visits
  • Must monitor the pet’s clinical signs throughout the study
  • Must be able to administer medication as instructed
Client Savings
Qualified participants receive (at no cost):
  • Investigational medicine (verdinexor) or the placebo tablets
  • Study-related examinations and tests
  • Time with a veterinary specialist
Contacts
MedVet Akron
Jacqueline L. Bloch-Miles, DVM, Diplomate, ACVIM (Oncology)
330.665.4996
MedVet Salt Lake City
Katie Wright, DVM, Diplomate, ACVIM
385.341.4444

Contact Us

If you have a pet that you believe may qualify for a clinical study, please contact your family veterinarian. We will work with them to determine if your pet is eligible and could benefit from participation in the study. If you are a veterinarian with a patient that you believe could benefit from a clinical study, please contact us.

MedVet Clinical Studies

Edna Moore, Clinical Studies Supervisor

Frequently Asked Questions

The purpose of a clinical study can vary. For example, the goal may be to determine the effectiveness of a new medication or combinations of medications. Clinical studies can also be used to determine how new procedures can improve quality of life or shorten recovery time for surgical patients. The results from large, multi-center clinical studies are used by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the approval process for new drugs and biologicals (vaccines, therapeutic antibodies) for companion animals. Clinical studies used in the approval process are conducted according to the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) recommendations, a set of international guidelines that ensure the highest standards. 

Participation in a clinical study is strictly voluntary and requires the pet owner’s written permission. Not every pet qualifies for participation in a clinical study. Communication between our doctors and your family veterinarian is maintained to determine what is best for your pet. 

Participating in a clinical study can be rewarding for you and your pet, and you play an important part in helping your own pet as well as future pets. Many medical and surgical treatments are available today because of the participation of pets in clinical studies. 

MedVet’s Clinical Studies Center leads collaborative initiatives with our veterinary specialists and veterinarians worldwide. We complete clinical studies by working in partnership with a wide array of investigators, from university faculty members to biotech and pharmaceutical sponsors. The outcome of these important studies benefits our entire veterinary community by putting safer, more effective treatments into the hands of veterinarians here and around the world in support of better patient outcomes. 

Clinical studies are well designed to provide the best opportunity to play an active role in your pet’s health care and gain access to new treatments before they are widely available. Your pet will receive expert medical care and close monitoring. Patients enrolled into a clinical study may receive professional services, diagnostic testing, or medical treatments and medications at reduced or no cost, depending on the study. 

As with any medical treatment or procedure, clinical studies are not completely risk-free and may require extra time on your part. There may be side effects of the treatment being studied, or the new treatment may not be as effective as hoped. However, treatments used in clinical studies have been rigorously evaluated before advancing to the point of clinical evaluation. Also, clinical study patients are monitored very closely to minimize the chance of any negative effects and ensure participating in the study is the best option for your pet’s ongoing health care. 

If your pet has a condition or disease we are currently studying, ask your veterinarian to contact the primary study veterinarian. Working with your veterinarian, the study veterinarian can determine if your pet is a potential candidate. Then, you would meet with the clinical investigative team at MedVet to discuss the study details. You will sign an “informed owner’s consent” document if you elect to have your pet participate. There may also be some screening diagnostics to complete before your pet becomes enrolled. For example, a patient with kidney disease might not be eligible for study, so a blood test would be part of the screening process. 

Yes. You have the right to withdraw from a clinical study at any time for any reason. 

MedVet’s Clinical Studies Center has worked with a variety of sponsors, from professional to private foundations, to facilitate completion of high-quality clinical studies in client-owned dogs and cats. We can assist you in your development efforts, from pilot investigations through multicenter GCP pivotal efficacy studies. We’re both flexible and creative and foster good working relationships with a goal of ensuring studies are completed in a timely fashion and in compliance with all standards of current Good Clinical Practice (GCP/VICH GL9) guidelines. 

Dr. Jon Fletcher, Director of Post-Graduate Medical Education & Clinical Studies, and Edna Moore, Clinical Studies Supervisor, have extensive experience managing and internally monitoring GCP studies. They work with the Clinical Investigative Teams located throughout our organization to ensure all aspects of a study run seamlessly from start-up, patient recruitment, data collection, site monitor and regulatory agency visits, to study close-out processes. 

Our strength lies in our ability to recruit many qualified patients in a short period. With an integrated system of more than 35 specialty and emergency hospitals, we have a large and varied caseload of more than 500,000 patients annually. We are also fortunate to have a referral network of more than 7,500 veterinarians who value the role clinical studies play in helping their current and future patients. 

Past Clinical Studies

The following trials are no longer accepting new patients:

  • Dogs with Protein Losing Enteropathy
  • Dogs with Dry Eye
  • Dogs with Osteosarcoma
  • Large Dogs Requiring Ruptured Cranial Cruciate
  • Ligament Repair
  • Cats with Diabetes Mellitus
  • Small Dogs Requiring Ruptured cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair
  • Dogs with Pruritus
  • Dogs with Osteoarthritis
  • Large Dogs Requiring Ruptured Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair
  • Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure (4 completed studies)
  • Dogs with T-cell Lymphoma
  • Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure (multi-site study)
  • Dogs with Mast Cell Tumors
  • Dogs with Diabetes Mellitus (2 completed studies)
  • Dogs with Hip Dysplasia
  • Dogs Requiring Cranial Cruciate or Luxating Patella Repair Surgery (post-operative pain study)
  • Dogs with Ruptured Cranial Cruciate Ligaments
  • Dogs with Melanoma, Osteosarcoma, Soft Tissue Sarcoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • Cats with Congestive Heart Failure
  • Dogs with Nasal Carcinoma
  • Cats with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • Dogs with Atopic Disease
  • Dogs with Epilepsy
  • Dogs with Lymphoma
  • Dogs with Glioma
  • Dogs With Lens Change
  • Dogs in Need of an Amputation