Title:

Influence of a novel compound on recovery from spinal cord injury due to disk herniation

Contact Person:

Alisha Onkst
Julie Harris
Jonathan M. Levine, DVM, DACVIM-Neurology

Species:

Dog

Inclusion Criteria and General Background Information:

Dogs must have ≤ 2 day history of spinal cord dysfunction resulting in a loss of coordination in the back legs only and be scheduled for surgery to repair disk herniation. 

Exclusion Criteria:

Dogs can not have a history of receiving steroids (for example, prednisone, dexamethasone, cortisone) within 7 days of evaluation at Texas A&M University.

Owner Commitments:

Animals will participate during the normal course of their hospitalization, for the diagnosis and treatment of disk herniation.  Also, participating patients will be required to return to the hospital for a re-check neurological examination 4-6 weeks after surgery.  The time required to complete this re-check visit could range from 1-2 hours.

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 refund of certain fees associated with the initial visit (diagnosis and surgery), which typically amounts to $200-275.

Click the link for more information: Spinal Cord Injury Brochure Final

Title:

The Influence of an Experimental Compound on Disk Composition in Dogs with Cervical Disk Herniation

Contact Person:

Alisha Onkst
Julie Harris
Jonathan M. Levine, DVM, DACVIM-Neurology

Species:

Dog

Inclusion Criteria and General Background Information:

Any dog (>10 kg) that presents with evidence of one site of disk herniation in the neck (cervical area) and that has the ability to detect sensation in the legs is eligible for inclusion.

Exclusion Criteria:

Dogs that have implants placed during surgical treatment

Owner Commitments:

Participating patients will be required to return to the hospital for repeat neurological and MRI evaluation 3 months and 6 months after surgery. The time required to complete each visit will vary depending on the availability of investigators and equipment and could range from 3 to 8 hours

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.  Magnetic resonance imaging performed at 3 months and 6 months after injection will be paid for by the study as will sedation and re-check examination fees.

Participation in the study with successful completion of all visits will result in a refund of certain fees associated with the initial visit (diagnosis and surgery), which typically amounts to 8-12% of the cost of that visit ($200-275).

Title:

Inflammatory Central Nervous System Disease Screening

Contact Person:

Alisha Onkst

Julie Harris, RVT

Jonathan M. Levine, DVM, DACVIM-Neurology

Species:

Dogs

Inclusion Criteria and General Background Information:

Dogs with MRI and CSF confirmed inflammatory central nervous system disease will have CSF submitted for analysis to the University of Georgia for identification of novel agents. 

Exclusion Criteria:

None

Owner Commitments:

None

Financial Incentives:

None