Florida Clinical Skin Problem Study
A clinical trial on skin problems in dogs being conducted by Dr. Rosanna Marsella of the University of Florida Vet School in Gainesville, FL. Dr. Marsella is probably one of the two or three best veterinary dermatology researchers in the country. Since skin problems are by far the number one health concern in Westies, this clinical trial may be of interest to you or to anyone you know of that has a dog (Westie or any other breed) with skin problems.
The key contact if you have any questions or would like to enroll a dog in this trial is Dr. Marsella. She can be reached at (352) 278-0742.
Here is some additional information on the trial:
This is a clinical trial and cases need to come to Gainesville, Florida. We are looking for atopic dogs, possibly not too severe and clear of secondary infections. The study provides the test product and includes cytologies and visits all free to participants. The study is four weeks long and rechecks are done every two weeks. Clients will have to apply a topical product (just a few drops in selected areas) three times per week. We will evaluate the clinical signs and the transepidermal water loss. This test is non invasive and simply involves placement of a probe on the skin for a few seconds to read the amount of water that is evaporated. If dogs require antibiotics or antifungals before getting enrolled in the study, that is not covered by the budget as well as cultures in the event of chronic non responsive infections. The value of visits and cytologies that clients will get for the study is the equivalent of $500. The trial will include three visits, two weeks apart from each other and no overnights are necessary. It is open to dogs of all breeds.