Clinical Trials
Morris Animal Foundation funds many ongoing clinical trials essential to advancing veterinary medicine. These studies help scientists develop and improve diagnostics, treatments and preventives for a wide range of pet illnesses.
VETERINARIANS AND PET OWNERS: The information below will help you determine if your pet or patient may qualify to enroll in a study. For complete information on each clinical trial, contact the veterinary teaching hospital conducting the study.
DOGS
EAR INFECTIONS
University of Florida (D23CA-012)
In separate double-blinded clinical trials, evaluate proactive treatments (tris-EDTA flush or sterile saline) for recurrent ear infections.
Inclusion Criteria: Dogs with a prior history of recurrent otitis externa.
Enrollment Sites: University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine
EAR INFECTIONS
University of Florida (D23CA-012)
In separate double-blinded clinical trials, evaluate proactive treatments (steroid otic solution [Synotic] or sterile saline) for recurrent ear infections.
Inclusion Criteria: Dogs with a prior history of recurrent otitis external.
Enrollment Sites: University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine
EAR INFECTIONS
University of Florida (D23CA-012)
In separate double-blinded clinical trials, evaluate a novel treatment (bacteriophage cocktail or Silvadene) for active Pseudomonas ear infections.
Inclusion Criteria: Dogs with a current P. aeruginosa infection, in which at least 50% of the culture is Pseudomonas.
Enrollment Sites: University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine
FRAILTY
North Carolina State University (D23CA-518)
Assess if customized rehabilitation can reduce frailty and improve the health span of frail, elderly dogs.
Inclusion Criteria: Dogs with a qualifying score on the NCSU frailty questionnaire (NCSU-FrP).
Enrollment Site: North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Service Dog Welfare
University of Denver (D23CA-526)
Examine the impact of pairing service dogs with veterans diagnosed with PTSD, to identify biomarkers for ethical use and provide tools for improved health and welfare tracking of dogs.
Inclusion Criteria: Military veterans with a PTSD diagnosis who are on a waitlist to receive a service dog for PTSD. This study will follow both veterans and their service dogs.
Enrollment Sites: Assistance Dogs International and accredited service dog organizations.
Ear Infections
University of Pennsylvania, D23CA-801
Assess the efficacy of the antibiotic fosmidomycin to treat canine staphylococcal ear infections.
Inclusion Criteria: Dogs diagnosed with a bacterial infection of both ear canals
Enrollment Site: Matthew W. J. Veterinary Hospital, University of Pennsylvania
Urothelial Carcinoma
North Carolina State University (D19CA-032)
Investigate the validity of a novel diagnostic test for the early detection of urothelial carcinoma, also known as transitional cell carcinoma (UC/TCC), the most common urinary tract cancer in dogs.
Inclusion Criteria: One of six breeds (Scottish terrier, beagle, West Highland white terrier, Shetland sheepdog, American Eskimo dog, Russell/Parson Russell terrier) at high risk of developing a UC/TCC, or a mix related to these breeds.
Enrollment Site: Dogs in the United States. Urine sample collection kit available from North Carolina State University
Heart Failure Drug
University of California, Davis (D20CA-822)
Evaluate the safety and efficacy of the drug clevidipine in dogs with congestive heart failure associated with mitral valve disease. This is a small, preliminary, phase one clinical trial.
Inclusion Criteria: Dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease and congestive heart failure (fluid present in the lungs).
Enrollment Site: University of California, Davis
Weight Management
University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (D22CA-406)
Identify how genetic risk factors and owner behaviors contribute to pet obesity. This study will fill knowledge gaps to improve prevention and treatment of obesity.
Inclusion Criteria: Labrador retrievers
Enrollment Site: Veterinary Hospital of the University of Cambridge
CATS
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
University of Missouri (D23FE-303)
Assess novel lattice radiation therapy to treat oral squamous cell carcinoma, a painful mouth cancer in cats.
Inclusion Criteria: Cats with measurable oral squamous cell carcinoma with no significant co-morbidities; no trauma or surgery within 2 weeks of trial enrollment
Enrollment Site: University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
Gut Microbiome and Feline Obesity
Harvard University (D22FE-003)
Evaluate the gut microbiome's role in the response to dieting in feline obesity.
Inclusion Criteria: Indoor-only cats within 4 to 11 years of age, diagnosed as overweight or obese and put on a calorie-restricted diet. Cats that have or have not lost weight after dieting are eligible.
Enrollment Site: Remote recruitment can be completed online through the Enrollment Inquiries tab below or at Boston Angell Animal Medical Center or Boston Cat Hospital.
Fecal Microbial Transplant for Feline Weight Loss
The Ohio State University (D22FE-009)
Assess the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation as an adjunctive therapy for weight loss in obese cats.
Inclusion Criteria: Client-owned obese, but otherwise healthy cats
Enrollment Site: The Ohio State University
Horses
Osteoarthritis
Royal Veterinary School of the University of Edinburgh (D21EQ-508)
To validate an Equine Brief Pain Inventory to monitor chronic pain in horses with osteoarthritis that horse owners and/or caregivers can use to track their horse’s level of pain and its impact on quality of life.
Inclusion Criteria: Client-owned horses with veterinarian-diagnosed osteoarthritis
Enrollment Sites: Amateur and professional stables with horses of any discipline
For More Clinical Trials
Visit the searchable clinical trials database at the AVMA Health Studies Database for a comprehensive list of pet clinical trials in the United States and Canada, including Morris Animal Foundation-funded clinical trials.
Be The First to Know
Be the first to hear about breakthroughs that help pets and wildlife have healthier, longer lives.