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College of Veterinary Medicine

THE IMPACT OF GI HEALTH ON JOINTS: A CLINICAL STUDY

February 2, 2023

Principle Investigator

Duncan Lascelles

Description

NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking dogs with or without mobility problems that are 5 years of age or older and weigh at least 10 kg to take part in a study aiming to evaluate the relationship between intestinal permeability and multiple joint osteoarthritis.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Aim 1 of the study, your dog must meet the following requirements:

  • Weighs ≥10 kg (22 pounds)
  • Is ≥ 5 years of age
  • Able to cease analgesic therapy (particularly NSAIDs) for 7 consecutive days prior to the second study visit day in Aim I
  • Is healthy enough to receive moderate sedation

For Aim 2 and Aim 3, your dog must have osteoarthritis.

Testing Requirements

This study has 3 main Aims.

  • Aim 1 (all dogs): Characterizing (phenotyping) your dog
    • Two visits total over 14 days
    • Your dog will receive:
      • X-rays of every joint in the body
      • Comprehensive bloodwork and urinalysis
      • Physical, orthopedic, and neurologic examinations
      • Measurement of intestinal permeability using a protocol that involves oral administration of a contrast agent and followed by blood collection
    • On completion of Aim 1, you will receive a $50 “thank you” gift card
    • A subset of dogs will be offered colonic endoscopy and biopsies at a third visit. You will receive a $200 “thank you” gift card if you choose to include your dog in this subset.
  • Aim 2 (OA dogs only): Monitoring the progression of your dog’s OA over 8-months
    • Visits occur every 2 months (4 visits total)
    • Your dog will receive:
      • X-rays of every joint in the body
      • Comprehensive bloodwork and urinalysis
      • Physical, orthopedic, and neurologic examinations
      • Measurement of intestinal permeability as described above
    • On completion of Aim 2, you will receive a $150 “thank you” gift card
  • Aim 3 (OA dogs only): Testing the effects of a prebiotic supplement vs. placebo on intestinal permeability and osteoarthritis pain
    • Visits occur every month for 3 months, including at the start (4 visits total)
    • Your dog will receive:
      • Comprehensive bloodwork and urinalysis
      • Physical, orthopedic, and neurologic examinations
      • Measurement of intestinal permeability as described above
      • A supplement or placebo to be taken daily
    • On completion of Aim 3, you will receive a $100 “thank you” gift card

For all parts of the study, patients will need to wear an extra collar with a ‘fit bit’ like device to measure activity.

All dogs must first complete Aim 1 in order to be considered for Aim 2 or Aim 3. There are additional inclusion criteria for Aims 2 and 3, so some dogs will be finished with the study after Aim 1. If a dog qualifies for Aim 2 and Aim 3, the owner can choose to enter the dog in either part or include the dog in both parts consecutively, without any specific order required. Please note that Aim 3 is not currently operational, but it will be offered as an option in the near future.

study diagram

Enrollment Start

03/01/2023

Enrollment Finish

12/31/2025

Flyer

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Questionnaire

Leaky Gut Study Owner Contact Questionnaire

Contact

Tracey Cole: 919-513-6376 or cvmpainrelief@ncsu.edu