Ethical Review

All research projects carried out in the Small Animal Teaching Hospital undergo an ethical review process where the proposed study is examined by an expert committee. Each study must satisfy criteria which ensure that the study will yield maximum benefits and minimise risk of harm. While the research projects carried out in the hospital have little or no risk attached to them, each one is examined against the set criteria. Research projects in the hospital must:

• Obtain informed consent – pet owners must be provided with sufficient information to enable them to make a decision on whether they would like to participate in the study or not.
• Give participants the right to withdraw their pet from the study at any time if they so wish.
• Respect the anonymity and confidentiality of participants by correct storage and handling of any identifiable data.