Clinical Research

Linnaeus aims to be world-recognised for our contribution to improving animal health and advancements within the veterinary profession. To accomplish this, we are committed to conducting high-quality clinical research that produces reliable, relevant and clinically applicable findings that directly impact animal health and welfare. The Linnaeus Central Support Clinical Research Team provides support to Associates throughout all stages of a research project, from study design to writing a manuscript and assisted Associates with 142 individual studies in 2022.

Over 500 clinical research studies are underway across Linnaeus and further 495 have been published or presented at a scientific conference to date.

Our clinical research ideas stem from clinical practice. They are focused on the needs of our patients and their owners, to improve the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention of naturally occurring disorders in patients.

The clinical research is conducted following informed client consent and in compliance with the UK regulatory framework and Mars privacy and research policies.

The goal of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health is to lead the veterinary industry in meeting and exceeding the guidelines established for clinical studies involving client-owned pets and sociological studies seeking input from veterinary professionals and pet owners.

Linnaeus Associates are leaders in their fields and their clinical research outputs contribute directly to the body of evidence to support decision making by veterinary professionals and pet owners. The results of our research are disseminated nationally and internationally to benefit the wider veterinary and scientific community and the general public.

Download our free clinical research report

Sparking the Clinical Mind – How Collaboration Delivers Excellence in Research focuses on the importance of collaboration to deliver high quality research projects.

Featuring articles by a range of contributors across the veterinary sector, the report explores how improving our clinical expertise needs the guidance, input and perspectives of others. It also features four leading studies from primary care and referral clinicians across the UK, covering a variety of conditions we see in practice.

Download this open access report for free, to learn more about the trends and opportunities for clinical research in the veterinary sector.

With thanks to our authors:

Dr Jo Gale, Director of Science Advocacy at Mars Petcare;
Dr Darren Logan, Head of Research at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute;
Dr Luisa De Risio, Clinical Research & Excellence Director at Linnaeus and Professor of Veterinary Neurology at Nottingham Trent University;
Prof Philippe B. Wilson, Professor of One Health at Nottingham Trent University;
Maureen Geraghty Sathi, Field Medical Director at Linnaeus;
Matt Gurney, RCVS & EBVS^® European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia & Analgesia and Clinical Director at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Hampshire;
Sebastian Griffin, RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Medicine at Vet4life in London;
Andra-Elena Enache, RCVS & EBVS^® European Specialist in Ophthalmology at North Downs Specialist Referrals in Surrey; and
David Barker, RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery at Paragon Veterinary Referrals in Yorkshire.

Our research approach

The Linnaeus Clinical Research and Excellence Director and the Clinical Research Associate coordinate and support the clinical research activities of Linnaeus veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.

This also includes assistance with study design, ethical approval, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation and publication, grant application and internal funding.

We support the publication of our research findings in open access peer-reviewed journals, enabling papers to be accessed freely and helping make A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.

Research training

Clinical research training is provided by mentoring, formal teaching and other tailored resources accessible to all Linnaeus Associates.

The Clinical Research team has developed a Clinical research skills course for Linnaeus interns and residents with lectures and active learning sessions throughout the year. Our residents also have the opportunity to attend a course on statistics led by experienced biostatisticians at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. All Linnaeus Associates can access the recordings of these lectures.

In addition, the Clinical Research and Excellence Director leads, fosters and facilitates research collaborations with Academic institutions in the UK and abroad as well as with the Mars Petcare ecosystem which comprises eminent scientists in numerous areas including genetics, metabolomics and artificial intelligence.

Research-led and evidence-based

Linnaeus clinical research activities support a research-led and evidence-based culture for the provision of veterinary services.

Research projects include fruitful collaborations between primary care and referrals within the group, generating large sets of valuable data and supporting our commitment to the effective translation of research evidence into clinical practice.

Veterinary surgeons and nurses involved in clinical research review and critically appraise the scientific literature (often both in veterinary and human medicine) on the topic of interest, deepening their knowledge and helping them provide the highest standard of care to their patients.

Assessed and published

Being at the forefront of scientific advancements in veterinary medicine enables Linnaeus clinicians to offer safe and innovative treatments, accurate prognostic indicators alongside appropriate disease-prevention strategies to their patients.

Linnaeus clinical research outputs are assessed every year by the Mars Research Review Board, providing excellent feedback.

Since 2019, Linnaeus has produced 850 clinical research studies, including 332 manuscripts published in scientific veterinary journals.