Description
Have you seen a cat with goopy eyes recently? The Lewin Lab for Innovative Eye Research
is currently searching for cats with ocular Feline Herpes Virus (FHV-1) for clinical
trials. The trial is to test a new drug treatment modality for FHV-1.
We have developed a novel slow-release ocular implant that contains a well-known and
commonly used antiviral drug. The purpose of this clinical trial is to test the efficacy
and tolerability of this implant in cats with the feline herpes virus. Enrolled animals
will receive either the ocular implant under general anesthesia or eye drops containing
antiviral medications. All animals will receive topical ophthalmic antibiotics as
well. Outcomes will be assessed using eye examinations, amount of virus shed and owner
satisfaction surveys over a 90-day period.
Qualifications
FHV-1 will be confirmed or excluded during the first examination at LSU.
Prior testing does not have to have been performed at your clinic.
The patient must have ocular diseases consistent with FHV-1.
The patient must weigh over 1kg.
The patient must not have severe concurrent systemic disease.
The owner must agree to all of the study conditions listed in the protocol.
Cost
The owner is responsible for paying the initial LSU Ophthalmology Service examination
fee of $178.50.
If eligible, pets will receive the following items free of charge.
- Free upper respiratory pathogen diagnostic panel
- Free feline herpes testing to monitor response
- Free treatment for FHV- 1
- Topical antibiotics for 14 days
- Either topical anti-viral medication for 14 days OR novel antiviral implant and associated
general anesthesia
- 3 free follow-up examinations to assess the response to the treatments, at designated
time points.
Benefits for Pets/Owners
If eligible, the pet will receive testing and treatment for FHV-1 at a minimal cost
to the owner
The pet’s participation in this study will aid in scientific advancement to develop
a new antiviral implant to treat FHV-1, which could help thousands of animals in the
future.
Contact
If you are interested in participating in this clinical trial, please contact us at
the information below for further consideration:
Dr. Erinn Mills
emills@lsu.edu
LSU Small Animal Clinic
(225)-578-9600