Participating in a Clinical Trial
Blue Buffalo Veterinary Clinical Trials Office (BBVCTO) is staffed by experienced registered veterinary technicians and staff who work closely with pet owners and veterinary specialists throughout the clinical trial process. Every clinical trial undergoes a rigorous review before enrollment begins to ensure patient safety, animal welfare, and compliance with all applicable regulations.
When a patient is evaluated at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center (OSU-VMC), all available diagnostic and treatment options are considered. For some patients, participation in a clinical trial may be one of those options. If a pet appears to be eligible, the study team will discuss the trial in detail, including its purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits. Participation is always voluntary, and owners must provide informed consent before their pet can be enrolled.
The Purpose of Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are an essential part of clinical research and help advance veterinary and human medicine. Their purpose is to determine whether new tests, treatments, medical devices, or procedures are safe and effective. Successful clinical trials can lead to improved standards of care and better outcomes for future patients.
Veterinary clinical trials may evaluate new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease, investigate new medications or medical devices, assess new uses for existing therapies, or explore approaches that improve the quality of life for pets with chronic conditions.
Before a clinical trial can begin, it must undergo review and approval by multiple oversight committees. These reviews help ensure that studies are conducted according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards, which are designed to protect patient welfare, safeguard owner rights, and ensure the accuracy and integrity of the research data.
Benefits of Participating in a Clinical Trial?
Every clinical trial is different, but participation may provide access to innovative treatments, specialized veterinary expertise, and additional monitoring throughout your pet’s care. Depending on the study, some diagnostic or treatment costs may also be covered. In addition to potential benefits for their own pet, participants contribute to research that helps advance veterinary medicine and may improve treatment options for future animal and human patients.
Benefits may include:
- Access to new or state-of-the-art treatments that may not otherwise be available
- Additional care and monitoring from veterinary specialists and clinical trial professionals
- Coverage of some study-related costs, depending on the trial
- The opportunity to advance medical knowledge and help future patients
Blue Buffalo Veterinary Clinical Trials Office (BBVCTO) collaborates with researchers across The Ohio State University, including the Medical Center, Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and Wright Center for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging to support research that improves the health and well-being of both animals and people.
Frequently Asked Questions
A clinical trial is a research study that evaluates a new treatment, diagnostic test, medical device, or approach to patient care. Clinical trials help advance veterinary medicine and improve treatment options for future patients.
Clinical trials help researchers and veterinarians develop better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Discoveries made through veterinary clinical trials can benefit both animals and people.
The specifics of each benefit vary by study but may include access to innovative treatments, additional monitoring by clinical trial professionals, coverage of some study-related costs, and the opportunity to contribute to future advances in veterinary and human medicine.
As with any medical treatment, clinical trials may involve risks or side effects. Before enrolling, owners receive detailed information about the study, including potential risks and benefits, and have the opportunity to ask questions. Participation is always voluntary.
Eligibility requirements vary by study. If you are interested in a clinical trial, your veterinarian or a member of the Clinical Trials Office can help determine whether your pet may qualify. You can also review our Current Clinical Trials page or complete a Pre-Screening Questionnaire.
New studies open regularly. We encourage you to check our Current Clinical Trials page often and sign up for clinical trial updates to learn about future opportunities.
Yes. Participation in a clinical trial is entirely voluntary. Whether or not you choose to participate, your pet will continue to receive the highest standard of care from the Veterinary Medical Center.