The Companion Animal Internal Medicine service at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) provides comprehensive clinical trials to further veterinary research in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous diseases. The Companion Animal Internal Medicine service is specialized in offering diagnostic tests and procedures for immunologic, endocrine, infectious, genetic and toxic diseases; diseases of the liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract; diseases of the kidney and urinary tract, and disease of the respiratory system. To learn more about the Companion Animal Internal Medicine service at the OVC, please click here.
How Well Do Dissolvable Capsule Cameras Work in Small Dogs for Gut Imaging?
Study Investigator: Dr. Alice Defarges
Graduate Student: Dr. Alex Walker (DVSc)
Capsule endoscopy has revolutionized the approach of endoscopy in humans and dogs, allowing for the evaluation of the entire gut in a minimally invasive way, without the need for general anesthesia. Dissolvable non-endoscopic capsules are commonly used in medium to large breed dogs for gut imaging. The utility and speed at which the capsule passes through the gut of small breed dogs has not been evaluated.
Financial incentives are available. This study is partially funded by OVC Pet Trust.
Inclusion criteria:
- Only open to OVC-owned (faculty, staff or student) pets at this time
- Healthy dogs between 3 and 8 kg, receiving no medication affecting gut motility (i.e. prokinetics or opioids), no vomiting, diarrhea or regurgitations in the last month
ON HOLD FOR RECRUITMENT – Evaluating the Impact of Elective Surgery on the Gut Bacteria of Dogs
Scientific Title: Impact of Elective Orthopedic Surgery on the Fecal Microbiome of Dogs
Study Investigator: Dr. Shauna Blois
The gut microbiome is a collection of bacteria and other microorganisms living within the gastrointestinal tract, including many beneficial bacteria. When dogs have surgery, this may change the microbiome population and these changes could have an impact on a dog’s overall health.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs undergoing elective orthopedic surgery (e.g., TPLO, etc) at OVC, with no newly diagnosed conditions within 1 month of surgery