Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine recruiting patients for UTI clinical trial

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Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (Cummings School) is now recruiting canine patients for a clinical trial testing a 3-day antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infections (UTI). According to an organizational release¹, researchers in this study are conducting a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to determine if 3 days of the antibiotic amoxicillin is as effective as 7 days for the treatment of UTIs in dogs.

The researchers at the Cummings School are hoping if the results verify to be effective, the new treatment course could improve antibiotic compliance, reduce the development of antibiotic-resistant UTIs, make treatment easier for owners, and save money on prescription costs.¹ UTIs are commonly seen in dogs, especially in females. They can occur as isolated infections or they can be recurrent, particularly if a dog has underlying health conditions.² The current treatment for UTIs in dogs often is longer than the standard 3-day treatment used for humans.

Some inclusion criterion is the patient must be female or castrated male dogs from 1-11 years old weighing 3-40 kg presenting with lower urinary tract signs such as blood in the urine or straining to urinate and complete medical history and physical exam must be normal.³ Veterinarians or pet owners can contact study sites directly to set up an appointment for their patients or pets. If you have questions about eligibility or the study in general, email TuftsUTIstudy@gmail.com.

Study sites are in Massachusetts and include:

• Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties (Tufts VETS), Walpole, Massachusetts
• Weston Veterinary Clinic, Weston, Massachusetts
• Foster Hospital for Small Animals, North Grafton, Massachusetts
• Tufts at Tech Community Veterinary Clinic, Worcester, Massachusetts
  • (This clinic has income requirements as they serve clients with limited financial means.)

References

1. Canine urinary tract infection clinical trial enrolling new patients. News release. Morris Animal Foundation. Published September 28, 2022. Accessed September 29, 2022. [email]
2. Urinary tract infections. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed September 29, 2022. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/urinary-tract-infections
3. Short course amoxicillin for treatment of sporadic bacterial cystitis in dogs. Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed September 29, 2022. https://vet.tufts.edu/clinical-trials/short-course-amoxicillin-treatment-sporadic-bacterial-cystitis-dogs