When making a decision on stem cell therapy for your companion, it is important to understand the process a bit, especially the process of storage of the extra cells for the future. If your dog or cat is being treated for arthritis, it is likely that they will need additional treatments in future years for the arthritis or for other conditions. One single collection of fat by your veterinarian provides for a lifetime of stem cells for your dog. The Vet-Stem lab stores (banks) stem cells in a cryopreservation system that provides for safe storage of stem cells that can last the lifetime of your dog. In most cases there are enough cells stored so that your dog can be treated one or more times from stored cells. This way there is no need to do another surgical collection of fat (which decreases anesthesia risk and cost). The first year of storage is free. Vet-Stem will then notify you as the owner/caretaker when it is time to renew the contract for storage of the stem cells. Read the rest of this entry »