Recipient Organization
TUFTS UNIVERSITY
200 WESTBORO ROAD
N. GRAFTON,MA 01536
Performing Department
Clinical Sciences
Non Technical Summary
Dogs with a special form of kidney disease will be enrolled in the study. The purpose of this study, a model for human kidney disease, is to determine whether injection of stem cells into the bloodstream will improve kidney function and improve long term survival of the dog.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Dogs with protein-losing form of kidney disease will be enrolled in the study. The purpose is to determine whether injection of stem cells into the bloodstream will improve kidney function and improve long term survival of the dog.
Project Methods
Six dogs with suspected kidney disease will be referred by veterinarians in surrounding private practices. Dogs presenting with protein-losing nephropathy, hypoalbuminemia, azotemia, thrombocytopenia, and hypercoagulable state will be included in the study. The primary endpoint is survival, in particular a comparison between 90 day survival in Pilot Study will be made with historical controls over 5 yr period (average survival at 90 days was 43% in past study, for instance). Secondary endpoints will be laboratory data (especially protein/creatinine ratio) and quality of life (by questionnaire of owner).