Project Overview
At EpiVets, we understand that pets are family. That’s why we’re proud to partner with animal health innovators developing new treatment options for dogs living with painful chronic conditions.
In this project, EpiVets conducted a dose determination study for a novel veterinary medicine designed to treat pain associated with canine osteoarthritis.
The Challenge
Osteoarthritis can develop gradually, and the early signs are often subtle. To run this trial, we needed to:
- identify suitable dogs with confirmed osteoarthritis
- ensure each enrolled dog was otherwise clinically healthy
- collect high quality data from both veterinary assessments and owners
Study Design
The study was structured as a double-blinded, six-week clinical trial.
Recruitment and Diagnosis
Dogs entered screening either with a prior arthritis diagnosis or suspicion of osteoarthritis based on clinical signs. Diagnosis was confirmed by x-ray.
Enrolment Criteria
Before enrolment, each dog underwent health checks, including blood testing, to confirm general clinical health and suitability for trial participation.
Treatment and Monitoring
Participating dogs completed six weeks on trial medication, with:
- regular veterinary check-ins
- repeated gait assessments
- structured owner feedback throughout the study period
This combination of vet and owner assessments helped build a complete picture of response over time.
Bias Control
Because the trial was double-blinded, neither owners nor front-line clinical teams knew which treatment each dog received during the study period. This was critical to ensure there was less bias in the study results.
Delivering Veterinary Clinical Trials in Real-World Settings
Strong owner engagement and close collaboration between EpiVets and participating veterinary clinics were critical to the study’s success. Flexible appointment scheduling and a commitment to participant support helped maximise enrolment and retention throughout the trial.
More than 100 dogs were enrolled, generating a substantial dataset to support product development.
Early Observations from Owners
Owners reported:
- increased willingness to play
- improved day-to-day energy
- quicker return to normal activity patterns
While full conclusions depend on final analyations highlight the value of combining objective gait measurements with real-world owner experiences.
Why We Do This
Every participating dog contributes meaningful data toward better pain management options for osteoarthritis. As the team says, they truly have “snacked for science”.