Today is National Cat Day! And we never miss an opportunity to discuss felines! Check out our latest blog from VetStem veterinarian, Dr. Amber Vibert.

I think we are all pretty aware that cats and dogs are different in many ways. Dogs tend to be pleasers and cats often make their humans work for their trust and respect. Dogs don’t really care if they are dirty or have something stuck in their fur, but cats on the other hand, cannot stand to be soiled in any way and will work fastidiously to keep themselves clean. And if a dog is caught counter-surfing for the sandwich that someone left unattended, he will cower when he is admonished. Cats will look at you as if to say, “So?” and quickly scurry away with a piece of ham in their mouth. Of course, there are exceptions, but in my experience, these characteristics are more often the rule than the exception.

Beyond their unique personality differences, however, there are several physical and psychological differences that are important to understand when approaching each species from a caregiving standpoint. For example, dogs have a ligament in their neck that  helps to keep the head erect if the neck muscles are weak. Cats lack this ligament, so when they experience illnesses that cause profound muscle weakness such as hypokalemia (low potassium) or advanced stages of kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism, they may become unable to lift their head.

Another example of how cats and dogs differ is with respect to their nutritional needs. We know that every species of animal on the planet consumes different kinds of foods to sustain their bodies. But many people don’t realize that cats and dogs have such significant differences that feeding a cat only dog food can cause heart disease and even death. One of the reasons for this is because cats have different essential amino acid needs. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. An amino acid is termed “essential” to a species when that species needs to consume the amino acid through their food in order to survive. Taurine is essential for cats and not as much for dogs, meaning that dogs produce enough of it in their bodies that they really don’t need as much in their food. So high-quality, well-established, commercial cat foods are specifically designed to provide the correct amount of taurine to keep cats healthy.

Furthermore, cats metabolize certain drugs very differently than dogs. For instance, did you know that although dogs can safely be prescribed low doses of Tylenol (acetaminophen), a single regular strength tablet can kill a cat? Both dogs and cats have a limited ability to metabolize this drug compared to humans, but cats have a really limited capacity and it will render their red blood cells unable to carry enough oxygen to live.

Cats also have unique needs when it comes to their surroundings. They have natural instincts to chase prey, climb and perch off the ground, control their own personal space, and use scent to establish their boundaries by rubbing their faces along people or items in their home. If these environmental needs are not met, not only will cats experience high levels of stress, but they can also develop stress-induced medical issues.

VetStem recognizes and embraces the fact that cats are not small dogs. We understand that cats not only have diseases unique to them such as Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS), but they also exhibit symptoms of illness very differently than dogs do. In particular, cats are particularly adept at hiding pain. This is why many cats go undiagnosed for common painful conditions such as degenerative joint disease (DJD). We encourage you to speak to your family veterinarian about establishing regular veterinary checkups for your beloved cat companions to keep them happy and healthy through all stages of life.

For those of you who follow our blog, you probably know that we launched a human stem cell company in 2018. Click here for a refresher. Since then, Personalized Stem Cells (PSC) has received FDA approval for two investigational new drug (IND) applications.

Knee Osteoarthritis Clinical Trial

The first FDA approved clinical trial was for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Data was submitted to the FDA for this trial earlier this year and the results look very promising. PSC reported that over 79% of patients improved and there were no serious adverse events reported. With the first clinical trial under their belts, PSC plans to launch a larger, placebo-controlled trial in the coming months.

COVID-19 Clinical Trial

The second IND was for a COVID-19 clinical trial. In the early days of the pandemic, PSC went to work to manufacture stem cells and secure FDA approval for a clinical trial to study the effects of stem cell therapy to treat COVID-19. We announced the news back in July 2020 here on the VetStem blog. But the good news didn’t stop there!

In October 2020, PSC entered into a licensing agreement with Sorrento Therapeutics and granted them global rights to their allogeneic (donor-derived) stem cell program, including the COVID-19 clinical trial. This was a lucrative move for the company and allowed PSC experts to return focus to autologous (patient-derived) stem cell treatments.

Phase 1b COVID-19 Clinical Trial Results

Results from the first COVID-19 clinical trial were very promising. The initial Phase 1b clinical trial was conducted in California at UCSF Fresno. In the initial study, ten patients that were hospitalized and required oxygen supplementation, were all discharged from the hospital shortly after completing treatment with stem cells. These promising results helped secure approval for the Phase 2 study in Brazil earlier this year.

Brazilian Phase 2 COVID-19 Clinical Trial

The latest news from Sorrento is that the first patient was recently enrolled in the Brazilian COVID-19 study. This trial, which, like the Phase 1b trial is being conducted by Sorrento Therapeutics, is a randomized, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of three allogeneic (donor-derived) mesenchymal stem cell infusions administered on varying schedules in 100 patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as a result of COVID-19 infection. The hope is that the results of this trial will mirror the results of the initial clinical trial and that this treatment modality will eventually become more accessible.

We couldn’t be prouder of the work we do here at VetStem and also at Personalized Stem Cells. Without the 15+ years of VetStem data from veterinary stem cell treatments, PSC would likely not be here. And to know that we contributed to potentially saving lives affected by COVID-19 is really something spectacular. We also want to thank all of YOU, our pet owners and veterinary clients, for trusting VetStem to handle your pets’ and patients’ stem cells. We couldn’t do what we do without you!

Charm is a nine-year-old dalmatian and accomplished agility champion. Though she has always had a strong will to perform, Charm has had a few setbacks along the way. In 2016, Charm partially tore her cruciate ligament in her left knee. After consulting with her veterinarian and doing some independent research, Charm’s owner elected to have Charm treated with platelet rich plasma (PRP) and VetStem Cell Therapy.

To begin the process, fat tissue was collected from Charm’s inguinal area during a minimally invasive anesthetic procedure. Once collected, the fat was aseptically packaged and shipped to the VetStem laboratory in Poway, California. VetStem lab technicians processed the fat to extract and concentrate the stem and regenerative cells contained therein. One stem cell injection was shipped to her veterinarian for treatment. Approximately 48 hours after the initial fat collection procedure, Charm received one dose of her own stem cells and PRP into her injured knee.

According to her owner, Charm recovered well and returned to agility five months later. Unfortunately, this then four-year-old active dog, continued to show signs of intermittent lameness and stiffness. Though her X-rays showed no arthritis, further testing revealed that Charm had Lyme disease. This helped to explain her lameness as a few of the common symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs are painful or swollen joints and lameness that comes and goes. Though there is limited data regarding stem cell therapy for Lyme disease, Charm’s owner elected to have her retreated with stem cells in an attempt to manage her symptoms.

Charm received a second round of stem cell injections approximately one year after her initial treatment. This time, she received one dose into her left knee and one intravenous dose in conjunction with PRP. She was also treated with homeopathic remedies, hydrotherapy, and strength training. According to her owner, Charm bounced back and returned to master level agility trials. Her owner stated, “She feels great, her quantitative Lyme levels are subclinical, and she is running, jumping, and playing like a puppy again.” She later went on to win Agility Champion of Canada Awards, 5th place at Agility Association Canada Nationals plus a Distance Log from the Dalmatian Club of Canada. Charm received a third round of stem cell injections, both in her left knee and intravenously, approximately two years later.

Fast forward another few years and Charm, being the active athlete that she is, injured the cruciate ligament in her right knee. Fortunately, she still had multiple stem cell doses cryopreserved. So, in January of this year, Charm received a stem cell injection into her right knee. Once again, her owner noticed marked improvement. She stated, “This now nine-year-old girl is feeling wonderful just 5 weeks after her stem cell injection and no signs of any arthritic pain!”

Last week, we talked about the benefits of walking our dogs and how it can help reduce or maintain weight which may help to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). There is no doubt that obesity may cause or exacerbate OA. And since we’re coming up on National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, we thought it would be perfect to discuss the link between obesity and osteoarthritis.

Obesity and Osteoarthritis are on the Rise

According to reports conducted by Banfield, both obesity and osteoarthritis are on the rise in pets. According to these reports, approximately 1 out of every 3 dogs and cats are overweight and obesity has risen 169% in cats and 158% in dogs over the past ten years. Similarly, osteoarthritis has increased 150% in cats and 66% in dogs over the past ten years. This same report notes that 52% of dogs that have OA are also overweight or obese while 41% of cats with OA are overweight or obese.

Link Between Obesity and Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a painful inflammatory condition of the joints that is progressive, meaning without intervention it continues to get worse over time. One of its most significant contributing factors in dogs and cats is being overweight. In fact, dogs that are overweight or obese are 2.3 times more likely to be diagnosed with osteoarthritis. With obesity in pets on the rise, it makes sense that osteoarthritis is also on the rise.

The link between obesity and osteoarthritis is an unfortunate vicious cycle: Weight gain causes more wear and tear on your pet’s joints, leading them to be less active and potentially gain more weight. Likewise, sore joints can lead to a pet being less active which can then lead to weight gain. If weight is not lost, the cycle will continue.

Furthermore, reduced activity often leads to more stiffness and pain. As we discussed in last week’s blog, regular, low-impact exercise tailored to your dog’s breed and physical abilities may reduce the severity or even delay the onset of osteoarthritis. Regular physical activity helps to build and maintain muscle mass as well as aid in joint fluid circulation, both of which support healthier joints.

So, what can you do?

Your best resource is your veterinarian. He/She can help to determine if your pet is overweight or obese and if so, can come up with a diet and exercise regimen to help your pet get to an ideal weight. If you’re unsure if your pet is overweight, the below chart is a helpful visual guide, but it should only be used as a reference, not necessarily a diagnostic tool.

Today, October 1^st, kicks off National Walk Your Dog Week! The idea of this week is to raise awareness about the health benefits of regular exercise for your dog. Low impact exercise, such as walking, comes with several potential health benefits.

Walking to Reduce Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

According to the Arthritis Foundation, regular walking comes with several benefits which may lead to healthier joints such as muscle strengthening, joint fluid circulation, and weight loss. Increasing muscle mass allows the pressure and weight to shift from your joints to your muscles. While an increase in joint fluid circulation is beneficial to maintaining healthy joint cartilage.

Additionally, weight loss is an important factor when it comes to managing pain and lameness associated with osteoarthritis. Excess weight leads to increased wear and tear on a dog’s joints and can therefore lead to the onset or worsening of osteoarthritis. Walking can help to reduce your dog’s weight and/or maintain a healthy weight. Multiple studies have shown that regular exercise can benefit arthritic joints and one study found that weight loss significantly decreased lameness in obese dogs with OA.

How to Exercise Your Dog

Experts agree that regular, short-interval exercise is key, as opposed to doing one big activity on the weekends, such as a long hike. Regular exercise may be something as simple as taking a walk daily or on most days. But it is important to note that different pets require different exercise regimens. One of your best resources is your veterinarian. He/She can help you build an exercise plan tailored specifically to your pet.

And the best news is, these same principles apply to people! So, if you suffer from osteoarthritis or are just looking for a low-impact exercise to stay active, taking your dog on routine walks can be beneficial to you both! Happy National Walk Your Dog Week!