Recruiting Healthy Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers

We are recruiting for a study to evaluate how diet will benefit soft-coated wheaten terriers (SCWT), which are a breed known to be predisposed to chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disease. SCWTs are prone to developing severe GI signs. We have determined that SCWT develop changes in their gut before clinical signs develop. However, it is unknown if these changes are preventable with early diet intervention. The goal of this study is to determine if feeding a veterinary therapeutic diet will improve the GI health of SCWT.

PARTICIPATION

  • Dogs will visit the hospital monthly for a total of 4 visits @ University of Wisconsin-Madison, Texas A&M University, Michigan State University, North Carolina State University, Adamstown Veterinary Hospital (Pennsylvania)
  • Dogs will receive an Alicam® video capsule endoscope (VCE) twice, which they swallow like a pill and passes harmlessly in their stool
  • Dogs will be transitioned to a kibble diet, which they will eat exclusively for 90 days

STUDY BENEFITS-FREE

  • Free physical exam, blood work, fecal testing, vitamin testing, urinalysis and video capsule endoscopy
  • Free high-quality diet with formulated nutrition plan for 3 months

INCLUSION CRITERIA – In order to participate in this study all dogs must:

  • Weigh at least ~10 kg (~22 pounds)
  • Be at least 1 year old
  • NOT have chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disease or be on a GI or skin-specific diet
  • NOT receive any any of the following medications: NSAID (carprofen), steroid (prednisone), gastric acid suppressant (Prilosec), antibiotics, anti-hypertensive/proteinuric/thrombotic medication

This study is generously funded in part by the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America (SCWTCA) Endowment Inc.

For more information contact: kgrady@tamu.edu