The Queen's Veterinary School Hospital

Clinical Research

Clinical research is strongly supported within the Department and the QVSH to improve our understanding, diagnosis and treatment of disease conditions affecting animals and thus to reduce pain and suffering and improve the length and quality of life. Clinical staff have been involved in pioneering advances in reconstructive surgery, diagnosis and treatment of hormonal problems, diagnosis and treatment of animal cancer and in pain relief, to name but a few areas of clinical research interest. Although funding for research in small animals is often difficult to obtain, members of clinical staff have had some success in attracting funds from bodies such as the Pet Plan Charitable Trust and also in producing a high publication rate in clinical journals, as seen in our list of recent clinical publications.

Increasing involvement of clinicians in the research groups within the Centre for Veterinary Science provides an important opportunity for new developments in clinical science. The genesis of the clinical scientist is a key strategic development for all veterinary schools because of the unique potential in veterinary schools to integrate basic science with clinical research directed at important problems in veterinary medicine. Good examples at Cambridge are in neurology and genetics where integration of basic and clinical research has brought new developments in understanding spinal cord damage and new diagnostic tests for genetic diseases of the dog. Funding by the Wellcome Trust in support of research in clinical veterinary science shows external awareness of the importance of the clinical scientist.

Any clinical studies involving pet animals conducted within the QVSH have to be approved by the Department's Ethic's Committee. Clients are fully informed of any clinical study and if they agree to take part they are asked to give written consent.

CALL FOR CASES - Haemangiosarcomas in German shepherd dogs. For further information