Clinical Trials

woman in white coat shines a light in yellow lab's eye while another woman hold the dog's face

Improving care through clinical trials

Clinical trials help doctors in the medical and veterinary fields discover new ways to improve the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses, all while enhancing the quality of care each patient receives. Clinical trials are critical to our groundbreaking research, may provide access to cutting-edge care, and result in discoveries that help people and animals in the future, all while providing your pet with the highest level of personalized care.

Coming soon: Clinical trials portal

We’re building a new, user-friendly clinical trials portal to make it easier for animal owners and referring veterinarians to find active research studies at the CSU Veterinary Health System.

Looking for an active trial now? Our team can help identify studies that may be a fit for your animal. Contact the veterinary clinical trials office at [email protected].

You can also view currently enrolling cancer trials on the Flint Animal Cancer Center’s website.

Frequently asked questions

Clinical trials help us evaluate new diagnostics, treatments, or devices to better understand their safety and how well they work. When you’re considering enrolling your pet in a clinical trial, it is important to know that they are not a “test subject”. We carefully design studies with strict ethical oversight and ensure you understand the trial’s purpose and any risks. Clinical trials often offer benefits, including access to cutting-edge treatments or financial incentives. All pets enrolled in clinical trials receive unparalleled care from their veterinary team, just like all other VHS patients.

When you inquire about a clinical trial, the clinical trial team will review your pet’s medical history. If they appear to be a good fit, you may be contacted to move to the screening step, which may include a review of your veterinarian’s records and an in-person visit. You will have time to review the client informed consent documents and ask questions related to participation in the trial. You will also be presented with alternatives to participating in the clinical trial. You will learn about the study requirements, including any treatments and follow-up visits that are required. You can decide not to enroll in the trial or withdraw at any time without any negative impact on the care you and your pet will receive.

All clinical trials undergo extensive review before starting, including review of any potential risks. Just as many aspects of veterinary care carry inherent risks or potential side effects, clinical trials may also have these. The care team will discuss any potential risks with you prior to enrollment.

There may be some associated costs to establish a diagnosis before clinical trial enrollment. Each study will have different associated costs and this will be outlined in the client informed consent document.

This is variable depending on the study, ranging from a single visit to lifelong follow-up.

Enrollment criteria are established for each clinical trial and may include factors such as size, breed, age, or diagnosis. These will vary for each clinical trial. Please inquire for an individual clinical trial to see if your pet may qualify.

Yes, your care team will send updates to your veterinarian regarding the care your pet receives as a part of the clinical trial.