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$1,000 offered
Dogs with elbow arthritis needed for vet research project
Monday, June 25, 2012
By Charlie Powell, College of Veterinary Medicine
PULLMAN, Wash.— Veterinary orthopedic researchers at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine are conducting a study administering a readily available nutraceutical supplement to dogs with previously diagnosed chronic elbow arthritis.The Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory (CORL) will provide up to $1,000 to each owner for volunteering their dogs for a 24-week study that includes monthly examinations at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the CORL . Payments will be made at the end of the study.
The non-prescription nutrient supplement under investigation contains MSM, glucosamine HCL, antioxidants, and phycocyanin; an extract of blue-green algae.
Similar supplements are commonly purchased and consumed by human patients suffering with chronic osteoarthritis also known as "long-term arthritis”.
The nutrient combination in the research formulation acts as a COX-2 inhibitor; similar to over the counter and prescription-based non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, carprofen, etc. are used safely in many animals and people. COX-2 is an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain in arthritis. Other Cox-2 inhibitors are used to treat chronic osteoarthritis in dogs and other animals including people.
"Unique to the formulation of this nutraceutical is the COX-2 inhibitor effect that is derived from blue-green algae and not by laboratory synthesis,” explained principle study investigator, Steve Martinez, a WSU professor and board-certified veterinary surgeon. "Because it is derived from a plant-based source it is thought to have fewer side-effects and be safer than most pharmaceutically produced NSAIDs.”
The 24-week study will involve an initial patient screening exam and once monthly follow up appointments conducted at the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman, Wash. Three times during the study, each dog will be sedated and have fluid drawn for analysis by fine needle from their affected joints.
The laboratory needs volunteer canine patients diagnosed with naturally occurring chronic elbow osteoarthritis in one or both forelegs and without any other concurrent orthopedic or medical disease.
To be included the study all dogs should be 2 years or older, weight between 35-125 lbs, have an easy disposition to being handled by strangers, have no concurrent orthopedic, neurologic or medical diseases or issues, must not have had orthopedic surgery in the last 6 months, not be on specific anti-inflammatory drugs; steroids or other nutraceuticals (glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, MSM, etc.), herbal remedies, special arthritis diets for at least 30 days or NSAIDs for 14 days, and have no history of adverse reactions to opioids, NSAIDs, or other nutraceutical-type supplements.
Interested dog owners can contact Nicole Hagemeyer, CORL manager at 1-800-498-9459 or 509-335-7747, or nhagemeyer@vetmed.wsu.edu for scheduling a screening appointment or questions.
Contact:
Charlie Powell, 509-335-7073, cpowell@vetmed.wsu.edu
Charlie Powell, 509-335-7073, cpowell@vetmed.wsu.edu
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