Clark said that cats are not used in laboratory experiments at OSU, but they do play a role in helping to address the study of feline illnesses at OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

For instance, OSU works with shelter cats that have been diagnosed with Feline Herpes Virus, a dangerous infection that naturally occurs in cats.

Clark said that previous studies have indicated that probiotics might ease clinical signs related to chronic FHV, especially when co-administered with lysine. An expanded OSU study of a larger number of cats is examining whether using probiotics and lysine together is beneficial in the battle against FHV.

Researchers studying feline hyperthyroidism are accepting cats for a study on CT imaging of the thyroid in awake cats. The cats will receive free CT imaging and a consultation with an Internist that could help in the treatment of this illness.

Other studies involved “client-owned cats affected by — or suspected to be affected by — an injection-site sarcoma. This trial evaluates the accuracy of pre-operative MRI and CT scan in predicting the extent of the tumor. Participants receive free pre-operative CT and MRI scans as well as discounted surgery and laboratory fees,” Clark said.

Theresa Novak is the city editor and opinion page editor at the Corvallis Gazette-Times. She can be reached at theresa.novak@lee.net or 541-758-9527.

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