Clinical Studies

Currently Enrolling

Comparison of diet alone vs. diet and probiotic to control clinical signs of chronic enteropathy in dogs

Study Goals: This study aims to address the unmet of chronic enteropathy and, in particular, chronic diarrhea in dogs. Treatments for this condition are often empirical and nonspecific. Recently, altering the gut microbiota in patients with chronic diarrhea has emerged as an opportunity to directly target fundamental pathology. In this study, we will investigate whether a novel probiotic combined with a hydrolyzed diet will more successfully manage the clinical signs of chronic enteropathy and restore a healthy microbiome when compared to a hydrolyzed diet alone. This is a prospective, multicenter, controlled and randomized clinical field study.

What to expect: Eligible patients will be randomized 1:1 into the diet only vs diet plus probiotic groups. All dogs will receive Purina HA (canned or dry) as their sole diet for the duration of the study (60 days).

Eligibility criteria:
*       Chronic small or large bowel diarrhea for at least 3 weeks warranting endoscopic gastrointestinal biopsies
*       Cortisol >2 mcg/dL or ACTH stimulation test not consistent with Addison’s disease
*       Evidence of lymphoplasmacytic, eosinophilic, or plasmacytic enteritis on endoscopic biopsies
*       Negative fecal floatation and Giardia ELISA

Benefits of Participation:
*       Initial and recheck exam fees
*       All screening diagnostics

*       Endoscopy procedure and biopsies
*       Purina HA diet for duration of study

Participating Hospitals:
Overland Park Veterinary Emergency and Specialty
Veterinary Specialty Hospital – North County
Advanced Vet Services
Boston West
Mass Veterinary Referral Hospital
Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists
Red Bank