UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
VETERINARY CENTER FOR CLINICAL TRIALS
Clinical Trials Report
May 2018
NEW CLINICAL TRIALS
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Healthy Pet Lizards - Studying Fungal Pathogens on the Skin

Nanniziopsis guarroi  is a non-zoonotic fungal pathogen of many lizard species and is the causative agent of "yellow fungus disease" in the bearded dragon. There is little known about the prevalence of Nannizziopsis guarroi in the general population, and only a few case reports of clinical infection including diagnostics and treatment have been reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of Nannizziopsis spp., a fungal pathogen, on the skin of healthy companion (pet) lizards. 
FEATURED ONGOING CLINICAL TRIALS
GENETICS
Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis - Understanding the Genetics in Bullmastiffs

Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) is the second most common heart defect diagnosed in dogs with Bullmastiff breed being an over-represented breed. There is no surgical treatment available that results in an increased life expectancy for affected cases. The aim of this study is to identify genes/variants associated with SAS in Bullmastiffs that can be used to develop a genetic test.  
Atrial Fibrillation - Understanding the Genetics in Irish Wolfhounds

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia in which the heart beats fast with no identifiable pattern of atrial activation. Although AF affects a wide variety of animals, it has a particularly high prevalence in Irish Wolfhounds suggesting a genetic predisposition. We are conducting a genetic investigation into the cause of AF in Irish Wolfhounds in order to improve our understanding of this disease and thus inform prevention and treatment practices.       
Old Age/Longevity - Understanding the Genetics in Large Breed Dogs

Many current studies are aimed at trying to identify genes associated with diseases in dogs, but we are looking to see if genes exist that could help protect against these same life-limiting diseases in the dog.      
 
      Printable Flyer (PDF) |    Read more...


Aspergillus spp. Infections - Understanding the Genetics in German Shepherds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Hungarian Vizslas

Systemic fungal infections such as aspergillosis are rare in animals with a competent immune system; however, certain dog breeds are reported to have a higher risk of this uncommon disease. We propose to use genome-wide association analysis to evaluate the differences in the genetic material of German Shepherds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Hungarian Vizslas infected with    Aspergillus spp  .
  Printable Flyer (PDF) for   German Shepherds,   Hungarian Vizslas,   Rhodesian Ridgebacks

INTERNAL MEDICINE
Equine Multinodular Pulmonary Fibrosis - Assessing Viral Kinetics of Valacyclovir in Horses

There is growing evidence that Equine Multinodular Pulmonary Fibrosis (EMPF) is associated with equine herpesvirus-5 (EHV-5). The current gold standard for EMPF diagnosis is histopathological results coupled with positive EHV-5 by qPCR on pulmonary tissue. Valacyclovir is routinely used to treat horses with EMPF. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of valacyclovir on EHV-5 kinetics in horses diagnosed with EMPF.      
  
Fungal Disease - Evaluating a Treatment and Exploring New Diagnostics in Cats

Trial #1 focuses on examining the efficacy of voriconazole against serious systemic fungal diseases like aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, sporotrichosis, and histopalsmosis.    

Trial #2 aims to investigate new, rapid diagnostic tests for fungal diseases.   
Cushing's Disease - Improving Diagnostic Values in Dogs

The cut off values previously used to diagnose Cushing's disease, were first determined over 30 years ago. Since then, there have been significant advancements in laboratory equipment and techniques as well as the clinician's ability to identify this disease as a differential diagnosis. The goal of this study is to re-evaluate the cut off values used to diagnose hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.    

Cystine Bladder Stones - Investigating a Oral Nutraceutical Treatment in Dogs

Cystine bladder stones occurs due to a genetic predisposition and has limited therapeutic preventive strategies. In a collaborative effort between the University of California San Francisco and The Buck Institute, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of an oral nutraceutical on cystine solubility in the urine.
 
Hypothyroidism - Evaluating Current Treatment Strategies in Dogs

Thyroid hormone supplementation is the treatment of choice for hypothyroidism. Recent clinical experience suggests that some dogs may respond to lower doses of thyroid hormone supplementation.  We are currently investigating whether dogs with hypothyroidism can be successfully treated using a lower dose of thyroid hormone and the best way to monitor this treatment.    

ONCOLOGY
Cancer of the Prostate, Bladder and/or Urethra - Treating or Assessing the Diseases in Dogs (3 trials) 

Trial #1   focuses on evaluating the efficacy of transrectal ultrasound   during urethral stent placement   to circumvent problems commonly associated with fluoroscopic guidance.

Trial #2 aims to describe the procedure of prostatic artery embolization and evaluate the effect that this technique has on clinical signs and tumor size in dogs with prostate cancer. 

Trial #3   focuses on determining whether 1) it is possible to obtain useful bacterial culture samples from prostates in dogs with prostate cancer and 2) if results of these cultures correlate with urine cultures collected directly from the bladder. 

   Printable Flyer (  #2 only) |   Read more...
Osteosarcoma - Using a Vaccine to Improve Efficacy of the Standard Treatment in Dogs

ADXS31-164c is a vaccine that is designed to cause the immune system to inhibit an important receptor that may aid in cancer progression known as HER2/neu. The purpose of this study is to determine if adding the vaccine ADXS31-164c into the treatment protocol for dogs with osteosarcoma will be safe and improve efficacy of current standard therapies for osteosarcoma in dogs. 
 
      Printable Flyer (PDF) |    Read more...
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Sudden Blindness - Comparing Disease Assessment Tools in Dogs  

Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) is a common cause of permanent blindness in dogs, for which the underlying cause for SARDS is unknown.  The purpose of this trial is to better understanding this disease, especially how it changes over time.   

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY & LAMENESS
Elbow Dysplasia - Comparing and Assessing Diagnostic Techniques in Dogs (2 trials)

Trial #1   aims to compare the newest imaging modality available - Positron Emission Tomography (PET) combined with a CT scan (PET/CT) - to conventional CT for dogs with elbow dysplasia.

Trial #2 will   evaluate the use of a micro-invasive arthroscope system for the diagnosis of elbow dysplasia in dogs.

 Printable Flyer (  #2 only)|   Read more...
TRIAL UPDATES
Clinical Trials that are "On Hold" 
  • Understanding the Genetics for Leopard Complex Spotting in Appaloosas
  • Assessing a New Treatment for Oral Melanoma in Dogs
  • Assessing a New Treatment for Lymphoma in Dogs
  • Evaluating a New Formulation of Chemotherapy for Lymphoma in Dogs
  • Understanding Intervertebral Disc Herniation in Dachshunds
  • Identifying Lymph Node Metastasis in Dogs with Lung Tumors
  • Assessing Minimally-Invasive Tumor Ablation in Cats and Dogs
  • Improving Operative Detection of Tumors in Cats and Dogs
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Dogs
  • Assessing a Potential Treatment for Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs
  • Evaluating a Stem Cell Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Laser Ablation for Treatment of Ectopic Ureters in Dogs
  • Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs with Acute Severe Spinal Cord Injury
NOTE: Trials that are "On Hold" are not accepting new patients and we do not know when these trials will open back up.  If/when these trials do accept new patients again, we will notify you via this report and post information about the study (including contact information) on the VCCT website.


Clinical Trials that are Recently Completed or Finished Enrollment  
  • Understanding the Genetics Behind Addison's Disease in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
  • Understanding the Genetics Behind Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy in Dogs
  • Understanding the Genetics Behind Cleft Palates and Lips in Dogs
  • Use of Canine Struvite Dissolution Diet in the Management of Infection Induced Struvite Stones in Dogs
  • Finding a New Treatment for Pemphigus Foliaceus in Dogs
THANK YOU!
Thank you for wanting to be a part of our clinical trials program.  We greatly appreciate your desire to participate in and inform others about our trials, and/or refer cases to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH).  The VCCT and our clinical trials wouldn't be here without you!  
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