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Clinical Studies

Canine Neurology

Evaluation of a New Drug (Rapamycin) in Dogs with Disk Herniation

Title Evaluation of a New Drug (Rapamycin) in Dogs with Disk Herniation
Contact Person Elizabeth Scanlin, BS
Alisha Selix
Juan Torres, BS, LVT
Julie Harris, AAS, LVT
Jonathan M. Levine, DVM, DACVIM-Neurology
Species Dogs
Inclusion Criteria and General Background Information
  • T3-L6 spinal cord injury due to disk herniation
  • Systemically healthy otherwise based on PE and bloodwork
  • No breed restrictions
  • No gender restrictions
  • No weight limit
  • Inability to walk for a period not exceeding 48 hours prior to enrollment
  • Surgical treatment elected based on CT or MRI
Exclusion Criteria
  • Widespread cancer or inflammation
  • History of breeding/pregnancy (within the last 6 months)
  • Presence of significant multi-organ damage
  • Estimated life expectancy of <2 weeks
  • Unsuitable temperament for evaluations required in this study
Owner Commitments Each enrolled animal will participate for a total of 90 days (3 months). Participating dogs will be hospitalized for seven days after surgery (Days 1-7), and then return to Texas A&M on days 42 and 90 following surgery, for recheck evaluations that will each last approximately 4 hours. Further details on study procedures can be obtained by contacting the Neurology staff at 979-845-2351
Financial Incentives There are no financial obligations by the owner to Texas A&M University for participation in this study, although you will be responsible for standard fees associated with initial examination, surgery and recovery. The 42 day and 90 day follow-up visits will be paid for by the investigator and are required for participation.  A $500 discount will be paid to the clients after completion of the day 90 follow-up visit.

 

US Department of Defense Canine Spinal Cord Injury Study: Part 2

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Title US Department of Defense Canine Spinal Cord Injury Study: Part 2
Contact Person Alisha Selix
Elizabeth Scanlin, BS
Julie Harris, AS, LVT
Juan Torres, BS, LVT
Jonathan M. Levine, DVM, DACVIM-Neurology
Species Dog
Inclusion Criteria and General Background Information
  1. Dogs must have ≤ 2 day history of spinal cord dysfunction resulting in a loss of coordination in the back legs
  2. The spinal cord injury must be suspected to be due to disk herniation and must be located between the T3 and L3 vertebrae
  3. Dogs must be male or male castrated and weigh between 7-35 pounds
  4. Dogs must be an appropriate candidate for surgery
Exclusion Criteria Dogs receiving steroids within 7 days of injury cannot participate.
Owner Commitments Animals will participate during the normal course of their hospitalization, for the diagnosis and treatment of disk herniation. Dogs will receive either placebo or study drug one time. Dogs will have urinary function and limb movements measured at various time points during their hospitalization and at a 42 day re-check point. Further details on study procedures can be obtained by contacting the neurology staff at 979-845-2351
Financial Incentives There are no financial obligations by the owner to Texas A&M University for participation in this study, although they will be responsible for standard fees associated with initial examination, surgery and recovery. The standard 4-6 week follow-up visit will be paid for by the investigator and is required for participation.

Participation in the study with successful completion of all visits will result in a final client cost of $1200 for all procedures. Animals failing to complete the study may be subject to the entire cost of procedures (approximately $3500).

US Department of Defense Canine Spinal Cord Injury Study: Part 1

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Title: US Department of Defense Canine Spinal Cord Injury Study: Part 1
Contact Person: Alisha Selix
Elizabeth Scanlin, BS
Julie Harris, AS, LVT
Juan Torres, BS, LVT
Jonathan M. Levine, DVM, DACVIM-Neurology
Species: Dog
Inclusion Criteria and General Background Information:
  1. Dogs must have ≤ 2 day history of spinal cord dysfunction resulting in a loss of coordination in the back legs
  2. The spinal cord injury must be suspected to be due to disk herniation.
  3. Dogs must be male or male castrated and weigh between 7-35 pounds.
Exclusion Criteria: Dogs lacking pain perception in the back legs cannot be enrolled.
Owner Commitments: Animals will participate during the normal course of their hospitalization, for the diagnosis and treatment of disk herniation. Dogs will have urinary function measured at various time points during their hospitalization and at a 42 day re-check point. Further details on study procedures can be obtained by contacting the neurology staff at 979-845-2351
Financial Incentives: There are no financial obligations by the owner to Texas A&M University for participation in this study, although they will be responsible for standard fees associated with initial examination, surgery and recovery. A 4-6 week follow-up visit will be paid for by the investigator and is required for participation.

Participation in the study with successful completion of all visits will result in a cost for all procedures (spinal imaging, spinal surgery, rehabilitation, 7 days of hospitalization) of $3000, which is $500 less than our standard fee for back surgery.

 

Spinal Cord Injury Study: Correlation of MRI to Functional Outcome

Title: Spinal Cord Injury Study: Correlation of MRI to Functional Outcome
Contact Person: Elizabeth Scanlin, BS
Alisha Selix
Julie Harris, AS, LVT
Juan Torres, BS, LVT
John F. Griffin IV, DVM, DACVR
Jonathan M. Levine, DVM, DACVIM-Neurology
Species: Dogs
Inclusion Criteria and General Background Information:
  1. Dogs must have ≤ 7 day history of spinal cord dysfunction resulting in a loss of coordination in the back legs
  2. The spinal cord injury must be suspected to be due to disk herniation.
  3. Dogs must weigh between 6-33 pounds.
Exclusion Criteria: None
Owner Commitments: Animals will participate during the normal course of their hospitalization, for the diagnosis and treatment of disk herniation. Dogs will have a special MRI that takes about 70 minutes, instead of the typical 20-30 minutes. Dogs will be given MRI contrast medium (gadolinium). Further details on study procedures can be obtained by contacting the neurology staff at 979-845-2351
Financial Incentives: There are no financial obligations by the owner to Texas A&M University for participation in this study, although they will be responsible for standard fees associated with initial examination, surgery and recovery. A 4-6 week follow-up visit will be paid for by the investigator and is required for participation.

Participation in the study with successful completion of all visits will result in a cost for all procedures (spinal imaging, spinal surgery, rehabilitation, 7 days of hospitalization) of $3000, which is $500 less than our standard fee for back surgery.

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Canine Oncology