Veterinary medicine is a constantly changing field as we learn more about an illness, and test new ways to diagnose and treat many diseases. BrightHeart is participating in efforts to bring the benefits of clinical trials to patients. Some clinical trials give us access to drugs and therapeutics BEFORE they are commercially available. Others use drugs that are commercially available but in combinations or uses that are new. Some clinical trials have partial to complete funding available.
Most clinical trials have very strict entry criteria. Only patients with specific types of illnesses are eligible to participate. The selected patients for these trials are evaluated by one of our specialists. All clients will be given information about the “standard of care” therapy or diagnostics. The study details (extra testing, diagnostics, known information about the experimental drug or compound, known side effects, monitoring and re-visit schedule, funding mechanism and timing) are discussed. Once a pet owner has a complete understanding of the values/benefits of traditional/standard treatment/diagnostics vs. the trial, a decision can be made as to whether the trial is appropriate for their pet. Once a study “closes” – we will be unable to enter additional patients in that trial. Typically, if a new drug or therapy is helping a patient, we can continue to get it for THAT patient, but not for any new ones. For more information about clinical trials in pets, see the following websites: www.animalci.com, www.vetcancersociety.org, or www.acvim.org.
