Ziggy the Cardigan IVDD: Clinical Trial Update

It's been a few months since I've provided a Ziggy update, so here it goes.  Ziggy continues in The Clinical Trial for Paralyzed dogs.  He has been to ISU for his second and third visits, and is scheduled for his fourth and final visit in late November.

We still don't know if he received the placebo or the treatment (we'll find out on his last visit), so we're now just guessing.  The Husband believes strongly that we're seeing more movement in Ziggy's tail and hind legs.  I am still playing the role of skeptic, but even I must admit that there seems to be something going on.  He is flagging and raising his tail more than usual, and he seems much more intentional with his hind legs.  I haven't seen a paw dragging in a long time.

We got some video footage of Ziggy moving last week, so you can see how things are going.  He's going at a slow pace, which is where we used to see the most foot dragging.   The Small Human served as videographer so it's not the most steady video you'll ever see and there's a little added "music", but here's the Z:

Ziggy continues to be happy and healthy -- he's still barking (lots, and at inconvenient times),  doing therapy dog visits to the hospital with The Husband, and he's gone months without a UTI (touch wood) -- so things are good with Z.

Here's one of my favorite Ziggy pictures from this summer:

Ziggy the Cardigan IVDD: We're In the Clinical Trial for Paralyzed Dogs!

When I last posted Ziggy had been accepted into the Clinical Trial for Paralyzed Dogs at Iowa State University.  After a bit of consideration, we decided to have Ziggy join the trial - more for the greater good than for any expected direct benefit to Ziggy.  Ziggy is now Dog #31 in the trial - and one of only two corgis so far in the trial.

Ziggy at drop off day last week 

with Dr. Hu and Brittany, "his" student for the week.

We've taken Ziggy for two of his four trial visits.  During each visit a number of tests are done to assess neurological function.  (Thanks to the team at the Clinical Trial for giving me this info to share.)  These tests include:

• Neurological exam to assess neurological function
• Treadmill gait recording which measures gait using sensors and cameras (if you go to the Clinical Trial's Facebook page you can see Ziggy on the treadmill.  It's not his favorite thing.)
• Cystometry to measure bladder function
• Electrodiagnositcs to assess spinal cord conduction
• Urinalysis to check for UTI
• Rehab therapy & evaluation

Ziggy on the treadmill.

On the first visit, Ziggy got an injection - well one injection at two different locations along the spine.  Since it's a clinical trial, we don't know if he received the placebo (control group) or the chondroitnase (treatment group).  We're pretty sure he got the placebo - but that's just because we're pessimistic when it comes to Ziggy.  We've learned to become pessimistic when it comes to Ziggy - it makes things less disappointing.

Even though we're convinced Ziggy is in the control group, we can't help but see "new" activity - he seems to be wagging/flagging his tail more, and paddling his hind legs harder.  But it's probably just wishful thinking.  

Ziggy has two more visits - one in August, and one in October(ish).  During the last visit, if he was in the control group, he will receive the chondroitnase.

So far, Ziggy has received reviews that he's a stellar patient.  The student who was in charge of Ziggy last week said he was the best patient they have.  And Ziggy is a patient, patient, kind dog, so I'm not surprised they like him!

Ziggy back at home after his first visit.

He and Blossom the cat missed each other.

His reverse mohawk is due thanks to site prep for the injection.

 

If you'd like to keep up with Ziggy and the Trial, I recommend visiting (and liking) their Facebook pages:

• Ziggy, Therapy Dog
• Clinical Trial for Paralyzed Dogs

Ziggy Visits Iowa State University Vet School - Chondroitinase Clinical Trail

Ziggy in the waiting room - a Corgi has to know what's happening

Ziggy and I made the three-hours-one-way trek to the Iowa State University Vet School in Ames, Iowa on Friday to see if Z can participate in a clinical trial for paralyzed dogs.

We heard about the trial on the Wheelcorgis Yahoo! group, and since we're (relatively) close to ISU, I wanted to check to see if Ziggy could participate in a trial that might some day help other dogs (and even humans!) regain function after a back injury.

The trial is testing the enzyme chondroitinase to see if it can be effective in breaking down scarring tissue left by a back injury, allowing nerves to regenerate.

We contacted the Veterinarian running the trial, Dr. Hilary Hu, to see if Ziggy might be a candidate.  Since Z had been to ISU many times (for PT and for an MRI) they were able to review his files and confirm that he was indeed a potential candidate.

Z resting between evaluations

Our trip on Friday was for hands-on evaluation to see if he met the criteria to be accepted into the trial.  The good news is that Dr. Hu and Dr. Jeffery confirmed that he could indeed be in the trial.  They did issue us a word of caution, though.  Since Ziggy has pain sensation and bladder function, he does have something to lose.  And while long lasting negative impacts aren't expected, it could happen.

The Husband and I thought about this, but in the end decided that the benefits to cart dogs outweigh any potential risk.  And heck, Ziggy might even benefit!

We're now corresponding to see when Ziggy can start the trial.  I'll post more when I know more.  In the meantime, if you'd like to know more about the trial, here are some links:

ISU website:  http://vetmed.iastate.edu/vmc/small-animal/clinical-trials/chondroitinase-clinical-trial-0

Facebook page for the trial:  https://www.facebook.com/ChondroDogsIowaStateVetMed?ref=hl