vetstem

Canine Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cells are the bodies building blocks. They are different from other cells as they can divide, renew themselves and be turned into specific cell types. Regenerative cell therapy is a new and experimental form of treatment for arthritis and soft tissue (tendon and ligament) injuries in both large and small animals.

Stem cell therapy has been used for horses with great success, and they are now using it on dogs as well, however, it is not a substitute for ACL surgery and is not used to treat torn ligaments, but rather the resulting degenerative joint disease.

Looking some more online, it has been used in conjunction with ACL surgery to promote healing, and as a last resort (and a very successful one) in dogs whose surgeries had failed and caused crippling joint problems.

Vets agree that it is an exciting and promising new development. And although Vet-Stem is in it for profit, they make the treatment available through licenced and Vet-Stem approved veterinarians only, so it's not some hokus pokus sold on a very colorful pop-up website.

The dog has to go under anesthesia, but there's no breaking of bones. It involves injecting stem cells directly into the affected joints (intra-articular). This is done in a two-step process:

First, a small incision is made in your dog's abdomen (or elsewhere) under general anesthesia to withdraw some fat, which is sent to a laboratory in San Diego where the stem cells are extracted and sent back.

The extracted stems cells are then injected into the joint while the dog is heavily sedated or under short-acting anesthesia.

It's cheaper than surgery and a WHOLE lot less invasive!

If interested in learning about it, the web site is: http://www.vet-stem.com/smallanimal/

I've taken the following text from that site:
Since 2005, selected clinics have treated dogs with osteoarthritis and orthopedic soft tissue injuries. Initial studies demonstrate that intra-articular administration of VSRCs significantly decreases pain and improves comfort in the majority of cases. Duration of the benefit from a single injection varies from several months to more than one year.

Clinical trials for osteoarthritis of the canine elbow, hip, and stifle [knee] are ongoing with successful results soon to be published.

Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell (VSRC) Therapy	Vet Stem Video	A Dogs Stem Cell Life	A New 'Leash' of Life After Stem Cell
Hope for Pets Dogged by Pain		Vet-Stem weighs in on their own stem cell derived pain product for arthritis	"Arthritis Begone"

The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.