We’re back with some big VetStem news! We recently reached an industry leading milestone: VetStem has processed over 16,000 patient samples resulting in over 38,000 stem cell treatments for animals across the U.S. and Canada. That makes for a lot of happy pets and owners!

For over two decades, VetStem has been leading the charge in regenerative veterinary medicine. With our patented technology, we help veterinarians tackle orthopedic and other degenerative conditions. From arthritic joints, injured tendons and ligaments, and even organ failure like kidney disease, VetStem has treated over 40 disease processes in 60 species (including people through our sister company, Personalized Stem Cells).

As you may already know, VetStem is not just helping dogs, cats, and horses. We have also teamed up with numerous exotic animal organizations to provide stem cell therapy for multiple exotic species. Like domestic animals, exotic animals have received stem cell therapy for everything from orthopedic conditions to viral diseases to organ failure to traumatic injuries and more. We take our job very seriously when it comes to the research and development of innovative regenerative medicine treatments for animals and diseases that have minimal treatment options. Just last year, we sponsored a first of its kind stem cell workshop supporting wildlife conservation.

This latest milestone is a testament to the trust that veterinarians and pet owners place in VetStem’s regenerative therapies. And for that, we are incredibly grateful. As we celebrate this achievement and our 20^th year providing lifesaving stem cell treatments, we continue to remain committed to ongoing research and development to further expand the applications of regenerative therapeutics.  

Hey there, fellow horse lovers! Today, we have an amazing VetStem success story to share about a Quarter Horse who defied the odds and bounced back stronger than ever. Meet Spooks Lil Gun Run, lovingly known as Bunny by her devoted owner.

Bunny’s journey wasn’t an easy one. She battled a painful condition called laminitis, which wreaked havoc on her front feet. For those not familiar, laminitis is inflammation of the laminar tissue connection between the hoof and the underlying coffin bone. It is very painful and treatment options are limited.

In severe cases, such as Bunny’s, the inflammation can cause damage to the lamina and result in the hoof wall and coffin bone separating and the coffin bone rotating. This rotation causes severe pain and in some cases is fatal. Damage to the lamina is irreversible, and treatment is aimed at stabilizing the lamina, which can minimize further damage and help reduce pain.

According to Bunny’s veterinarian, Dr. Dylan Costello from Western Performance Equine, Bunny suffered from severe rotation of both coffin bones in her front feet, was grade 4/5 lame at the walk, and critically uncomfortable due to extreme pain. In an effort to reduce Bunny’s inflammation and pain, Dr. Costello recommended treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy.

Bunny received an injection of her own stem cells into each of her front legs. Due to the severity of her condition, she received a second identical treatment one month later. Within just one month post-treatment, Bunny’s owner noticed significant improvement. Her owner stated, “Amazing results! This mare was unusable and extremely painful. She has made a 100% recovery and is back in the reining and ranch riding show pen! The photo of her is at the last show placing the highest we have ever placed at an NRHA show! I have a new appreciation for stem cells and its effects and recommend it to anyone with a horse struggling with Laminitis.”

Talk about a comeback story, right? If you have a horse struggling with laminitis or any other orthopedic woes, VetStem Cell Therapy may help! Speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of providers near you.

We always get excited when one of our clients reaches a stem cell milestone and we recently announced that Dr. Kim Carlson, a small animal surgeon based in the Bay Area of Northern California, surpassed 300 stem cell processes! She is the first small animal veterinarian to achieve this number of VetStem patients.

Dr. Carlson is a board-certified surgeon who has been utilizing VetStem Cell Therapy since 2007. As one of VetStem’s most prolific users, Dr. Carlson consistently advocates for the integration of stem cell therapy in conjunction with orthopedic surgeries such as cruciate ligament repairs, luxating patella surgery, and fracture repairs.

Many of Dr. Carlson’s patient’s experience great success after treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, including Oliver, a young Shih Tzu who was successfully treated with stem cells in conjunction with surgery for arthritis in his elbows. One of Dr. Carlson’s most memorable stem cell success stories was that of a search and rescue K9, Yana, who was able to return to work after receiving VetStem Cell Therapy for a partial iliopsoas tear.

Stem cells, with their regenerative capabilities and ability to differentiate into various tissue types, play a pivotal role in reducing pain, inflammation, and the formation of scar tissue. Additionally, they aid in restoring range of motion and stimulating the regeneration of tendon, ligament, and joint tissues. VetStem is proud to partner with veterinarians like Dr. Kim Carlson to provide solutions for animals facing degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis and traumatic injuries such as torn ligaments and injured tendons.

Last Friday was National Welsh Corgi Day and today is International Akita Day! We of course have to pay tribute by sharing a VetStem success story about an Akita named Yoshio!

Yoshio faced significant challenges due to bilateral hock dysplasia and osteoarthritis in his joints. By the age of 9.5, he struggled to perform basic activities, like jumping on the bed, and could not stand comfortably. His condition caused discomfort and limited his mobility, leading to lower back spasms and difficulty walking. Determined to alleviate Yoshio’s suffering, his owner followed an extensive physical therapy regimen, including underwater treadmill exercises and cold laser therapy. Despite these efforts and weight loss to ease joint stress, Yoshio found only minimal relief after four months.

In pursuit of a more effective solution, Yoshio’s owner turned to VetStem Cell Therapy. Under the care of veterinary surgeon and longtime VetStem user, Dr. Kim Carlson, Yoshio underwent a minimally invasive procedure to collect fat tissue from his abdomen. The fat was processed at the VetStem lab to extract Yoshio’s stem and regenerative cells. Within 48 hours of the initial fat collection, Yoshio received stem cell injections into both hocks and his right carpus, along with an IV injection.

Yoshio’s owner noticed a significant improvement in his condition within just one week of the procedure. With renewed strength and mobility, Yoshio could run, jump onto beds, and stand comfortably following treatment with stem cells.

Arthritis is one of the most common ailments that affects dogs today. While all dogs can develop arthritis, large breed dogs like Akitas are at a higher risk due to the increased wear and tear on their joints. If you think your dog may benefit from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of providers near you.

Today is National Welsh Corgi Day! As a tribute to Corgis everywhere, we wanted to share a special VetStem success story about an agility Corgi named Kirby.

Kirby is a fun-loving Pembroke Welsh Corgi who began competing in agility at just one and a half years old. His path, however, was not without hurdles. At around four years old, Kirby began to experience intermittent lameness in his hips and left knee, threatening to derail his agility career. His veterinarian employed a range of treatments, from cold laser therapy to underwater treadmill sessions and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While these interventions offered temporary relief, Kirby’s lameness persisted, prompting his mom to explore alternative solutions.

Determined to find a lasting solution, Kirby’s mom elected to have him treated with VetStem Cell Therapy. To begin the process, Kirby underwent a minimally invasive procedure to harvest fat tissue from his abdomen. Kirby’s fat was processed at the VetStem laboratory to extract and concentrate his stem and regenerative cells. Five injectable stem cell doses were shipped to his veterinarian and approximately 48 hours after the initial fat collection procedure, Kirby received injections of his own stem cells into his hips and knees, as well as an intravenous injection.

The results were remarkable. Within a mere two months, Kirby showed significant improvement, and was able to return to agility competition with an 80% qualifying rate. He was also able to enjoy long hikes with his mom each week. His owner stated, “I’m so grateful to VetStem for their help and that they have his cells in storage so we can give him more injections in the future if needed!!”

Like Kirby, many dogs suffer from pain associated with osteoarthritis, which can greatly affect their quality of life. According to surveys answered by owners and veterinarians, greater than 80% of dogs showed an improved quality of life after receiving VetStem Cell Therapy for orthopedic conditions. Do you think your dog may benefit from treatment with stem cells? Speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of providers near you.