Clinical Effectiveness of Phycox® in Elbow Osteoarthritis in Dogs
The comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory at Washington State
University is conducting a clinical trial involving Phycox� a
nutraceutical supplement that contains MSM, Glucosamine HCL,
Antioxidants, and Phycocyanin (an extract of blue-green algae). This
unique combination acts as a COX II inhibitor (COX II is an enzyme
responsible for inflammation and pain) and will be used to treat chronic
osteoarthritis in the canine patient. In addition targeting for
the COX II enzyme is thought to have fewer side effects than other
NSAIDS.
The initial screening will determine eligibility into the study.
Your dog will undergo a comprehensive physical exam, including a
complete medical history, a physical exam and lameness evaluation, blood
sampling, urinalysis, and radiographs may be obtained. The study will
run 24 weeks, and will involve once weekly online pain evaluations
completed by you the owner.
Once your dog is determined to be eligible for the study, your dog
will be fitted with either a collar or harness with an accelerometer
attached. The accelerometer device will help us determine your dog's
daily activity level, therefore your dog will have to wear the device at
all times. Your dog will need to wear the accelerometer for 14 days
before the next appointment.
During the study, your dog will receive either the Phycox® tablets or
placebo tablets. Check-up appointments will occur monthly in Pullman, WA
at the WSU Veterinary Hospital. The appointment after the initial visit
will involve baseline force plate analysis, physical exam, and synovial
joint fluid sampling. The synovial joint fluid sampling will involve
sedation therefore please do not feed your dog 10hrs before the
appointment and plan on leaving your dog for about an hour the day of
the appointment. We will collect the synovial joint samples 3 times:
week 1, week 12, and week 24. At each of the monthly appointments your
dog will have a physical exam and force plate evaluation. If your dog
requires additional pain medications, your dog will exit the study and
appropriate therapy will be instituted.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must weigh between 35lbs and 125lbs
- Must exhibit good health as shown by blood and
urinalysis results
- Diagnosed with naturally occurring elbow
osteoarthritis
- Dog must be off all NSAIDs and any herbal
supplements/medications for 14 days prior to enrollment
- Dog must be off all corticosteroids for 30 days
prior to enrollment
- Dog cannot be pregnant
- Has no complicating disease conditions pertaining to
the liver, kidney, or GI tract
- Does not have an intolerance to any of the sedation
materials used in the study
- Has no other disease state, medical condition, or
behavioral aggression which would interfere with the
dog’s ability to complete the trial or to be evaluated.
- Does not have a history of intolerance to
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Financial Incentives
- Upon completion of study there will be a $1000.00
compensation
- Physical examinations and blood work are at no cost
to owner
Contact Information
Ms. Nicole Kuhn,
CORL
Supervisor at (800)-498-9459, (509) 335-7747,
nhagemeyer@vetmed.wsu.edu for
more information and appointment scheduling.
