Has your dog been diagnosed with osteoarthritis?  Are you considering stem cell therapy?  In an effort to help you make your decision, we reached out to a few of our stem cell advocates to inquire about their decision-making process.  Below you will find some words of advice from actual VetStem customers that may help you with your decision to move forward with stem cell therapy.

“After researching the various options to help Maverick and trying acupuncture and aqua therapy, we were willing to invest in Stem Cell Therapy.  Our only hope was that he remained at the same stage he was at before the treatment.  We wanted to stop the progression and if he received any other benefits, that would be a bonus.”

 “I recommend people do the research, speak to the experts, listen to first hand experiences and make an informed decision. I will never regret having gone down this path. The end result was more quality time and improved quality of life for my girl.” 

 “Yes, the cost was also a factor, but we found that CARECREDIT can be used for this treatment and it’s interest free for 12 months.” (Side note: several pet insurance companies also cover all or a portion of stem cell therapy!)

“I think that we didn’t have high expectations for a drastic change or a specific timeline or benchmarks for progress.  We just didn’t want him to get worse.  But after 6 to 7 weeks, the improvement in his mobility and stamina was significant.  We couldn’t believe the change from a slow-moving senior to very active younger dog.”   

“Any time a senior dog has surgery, it’s always a concern.  The procedure was shorter than we anticipated, and his recovery was very quick with no side effects.”

“The post-op physical therapy which we did faithfully for 2 weeks, really was one of the things that we found most important for a successful treatment.  Also, we continued with acupuncture and aqua therapy after the two weeks.  Maverick still goes for aqua therapy (swimming) once a week and acupuncture once a month.”

There are some key points that stand out from the above advice.

• Do your research. Speak with your veterinarian, have him/her do an in-depth lameness exam and X-rays if not already done. Determine where the arthritis is located, how severe it is, and if your dog is a good candidate for the procedure.  Keep in mind VetStem veterinarians are available to consult with your veterinarian about your dog’s case if needed.  If your veterinarian is not VetStem Credentialed, you can take this letter to help him/her understand more about VetStem Cell Therapy.
• Look into financial coverage options such as CareCredit and pet insurance. Some veterinary hospitals even have internal payment plans.
• Work with your veterinarian to set realistic expectations. What do we mean by this?  Let’s say you have a 12-year-old Labrador with severe arthritis in several joints.  An unrealistic expectation would be for him to return to bouncy, puppy-like behavior.  A realistic expectation would be for him to move around more comfortably and be in less pain thus having a better quality of life.
• Follow your veterinarian’s advice for post-treatment physical rehab. Routine rehabilitation exercises may enhance your dog’s recovery.

Ultimately, the decision to pursue stem cell therapy is yours and yours alone.  But you’re not alone in the decision-making process.  Your veterinarian, along with VetStem experts, can answer your questions and address any concerns you may have regarding stem cell therapy for your dog.  You can email us or call 858-748-2004 (Toll Free: 1-88-VETSTEM1) and we would be happy to speak with you about your dog’s specific case.

At 8 years old, Maverick found himself in the unfortunate situation of being at a local humane society.  Fortunately for Maverick, Irene had just lost her beloved 13-year-old golden retriever, Zeke, and was searching for a companion for her other dog, Reilly.  Though Maverick was listed as dog aggressive, he and Reilly became best friends straight away and Irene took Maverick home.

Shortly after adopting Maverick, Irene realized he was showing symptoms of arthritis: he couldn’t jump onto the bed or couch and he bunny-hopped up the stairs.  X-rays revealed that Maverick had hip dysplasia which, over the years, led to severe osteoarthritis in his hips.  After some research, Irene contacted VetStem to request a list of VetStem providers in her area and took Maverick for a stem cell consultation and treatment with Dr. David Monti of Ridge Animal Hospital.

A few months after treatment, Irene noted that Maverick’s mobility was improving.  He was no longer bunny-hopping up the stairs and began jumping on the sofa.  He also began playing fetch with much greater stamina!  You can read the rest of Maverick’s story here.

We recently checked in with Irene and she reported that Maverick continues to do great.  He still goes for his weekly swims and his monthly acupuncture and according to Irene, “going to the dog park and playing

fetch in the pond is still his favorite.”  She also said, “Maverick’s quality of life has improved tremendously. He has a new zest for life and is making up for all the years when he was in pain and so limited in his mobility.”

One might wonder why, at 8 years old, Maverick ended up at the shelter.  Whatever the reason, he and Irene are lucky they found each other.  It is clear they share a special bond.  Irene said, “we’re so grateful to have him. He’s the love of our life.” If I had to guess, I’m sure Maverick feels the same.

This picture is a bit blurry but the expression on Maverick’s face with his ears flapping in the wind says it all!

A very common question from veterinarians and dog owners is, “Does it matter where you take the fat from for stem cell therapy?”  The simple answer is “No” but let me explain.  (Actually, if you were the dog, you might object to my statement…)  First, why are we interested in fat anyway? This is because, of all the tissues in the body, the fat tissue is the easiest to collect (we all have extra) and it is the most rich in stem cells.  Yes, even more than bone marrow by a factor of 500X!  The fat in our bodies, and of our pets, is the richest and easiest source of these incredible regenerative cells.

So, where to take a little nip and tuck?  A very well done scientific paper analyzed the VetStem database to see if the collection location made a difference (Astor, 2013).  First, let’s define “difference.”  Scientists use statistical tests to see small differences, but for our purposes, let’s say that a difference is significant if it means we have to collect a lot more fat to get the same number of cells.  Using this definition, there is essentially no real difference between taking fat under the skin in the belly, under the skin by the shoulder, or making a small incision like in a spay and taking a sample from the abdomen.  All are essentially the same.  The paper also looked at differences by age, breed, and sex of the patient and got the same answer: there were small differences but none that really mattered.

So what is the conclusion?  You veterinarian can collect fat from any of these three locations and should be able to get a good yield of stem cells from each.  That being said, about 75% of all fat collections are from the “spay” type method of getting abdominal fat.  Even skinny dogs have fat there and it is quick and easy for both the veterinarian and the patient.  But all three methods are perfectly acceptable in the clinic and will provide a very rich source of stem cells for use in regenerative medicine.

References

Astor D, Hoelzler M, Harman R, Bastian R.  Patient factors influencing the concentration of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) for adipose-derived stromal cell (ASC) therapy in dogs. Can J Vet Res 2013;77:177-182.

Those of you who have been following our blog all of these years may remember our friend, Whisper, the Australian cattle dog who is an agility champion and one of our stem cell advocates.  She was initially treated in 2009 for osteoarthritis and OCD in both elbows.  She was treated a second time in 2011 and this time had both elbows along with her right knee and right hock (ankle) treated.  You can catch up on Whisper’s story and outcome here and here.

Recently, Whisper’s mom, Elise, contacted VetStem and provided us with an update.  Whisper just turned 12 yesterday, on August 9^th, and according to Elise, ”she’s still nutty!”.  She stated that her elbows are “perfect” and that her hock is thickened however it is holding up well and is not a problem day-to-day.  Whisper enjoys swimming and running in the forest daily.  As you can see from the picture her mom sent, she’s enjoying life!

Since her last treatment in 2011, Whisper has not required further stem cell treatments.  This however is not the case for all dogs treated with stem cells.  It is important for pet owners to understand that each pet responds differently to stem cell therapy, much like every person responds differently to medications.  Your veterinarian will be able to determine if your dog is a good candidate for stem cell therapy.  Or, if you are looking for a veterinarian who can perform VetStem Cell Therapy, click here to receive a list of veterinary stem cell providers in your area.

From our first patient in January 2004, a thoroughbred race horse named Xpress Xcess, to the 32 new patients that were treated in July, VetStem has reached a milestone: over 14,000 patients have been treated with VetStem Regenerative Cell Therapy!

As the first company to provide adipose-derived stem cell services to veterinarians across the United States and Canada, VetStem has been a leader in the field of regenerative veterinary medicine for over a decade.  Through peer-reviewed studies, multiple case reports, and numerous success stories, VetStem Regenerative Cell Therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for arthritis as well as tendon and ligament injuries.

The VetStem team works hard to remain relevant and reputable.  We take pride in our strict procedures and protocols, which are guided by FDA regulations.  Our R&D and Clinical Development teams work tirelessly to research new uses for stem cells and create new stem cell protocols.

VetStem continues to contribute to the growth of the rapidly developing regenerative medicine market.  We would not be where we are today without the nearly 2,500 veterinarians and over 10,000 dog, cat, and horse owners who have entrusted us with their patient’s and their animal’s stem cells.  For that, we thank you!