Riluzole for Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

What qualifies my pet for enrollment in this in this trial?

• Dogs that are strongly suspected to have DM based on MRI and CSF findings, and genetic testing.
• Able to walk without assistance and only mild weakness present.
• No other major medical problems
• Complete blood count and serum chemistry without clinically significant abnormalities, as determined by the veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

• Dogs that are found to have significant compressive lesions on MRI, moderate to severe weakness, blood work abnormalities, or other ailments including a cancer diagnosis. 
• Dogs that are currently prescribed medications such as amantadine, ketamine, corticosteroids, sodium channel blockers, or cardiac medications.

What does enrolling my pet in this clinical trial involve?

Dogs will be screened at the screening visit (day -14 to day 0) and eligible dogs will be enrolled on Day 0 at which point baseline clinical data will be collected and randomization will occur. Dogs will begin dosing on day 1. Dogs will have follow-up physical and neurologic exams, gait evaluations, bloodwork and urinalysis, and behavioral testing at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months (+/- 10 days); they will also have spinal fluid collected at 6 months, 12 months, and at time of euthanasia where possible. It will be strongly encouraged that dogs have bloodwork repeated 2 weeks after the initial dose escalation, but this bloodwork will be performed with their family veterinarian with the cost covered by the owner. For dogs that have not met a study endpoint by 12 months, their dosing and evaluation will continue every 3 months until a study endpoint is met.

The duration of the study is expected to be approximately 2 years.

Client Compensation

The study will cover most costs. You will be required to pay for the standard diagnostics that are part of pre-enrollment and for one set of blood work performed during the study, the cost of this standard diagnostic workup is approximately $2500-3500. If your dog experiences a study-related adverse event, the cost of medical care will be covered by the study up to a total amount of $500.