At just four years old, Junior, a talented cutting horse, suffered injuries to the suspensory ligaments in both of his hind legs. This type of injury can end the career of even the best performance horses. Fortunately, with the help of his veterinarian, Dr. Martin Gardner of Western Performance Equine, and treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, Junior made a remarkable recovery. Not only did he return to work, but he went on to have a long, successful career and remains sound nearly 15 years later.

To treat Junior’s injuries, Dr. Gardner recommended VetStem Cell Therapy, a regenerative medicine treatment that uses the horse’s own stem cells to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and repair damaged tissue. A small sample of fat was collected from Junior’s tailhead and sent to VetStem’s lab in Poway, California, where technicians processed it to extract and concentrate his stem cells. Two doses were then shipped back to Dr. Gardner for injection into the injured ligaments. After a 90-day rehab period, Junior gradually returned to work and went on to compete until age 16.

Junior’s owner shared that he’s now 19 years old, still sound, and happily working as a help horse in stock dog trials, calling VetStem Cell Therapy the “best money ever spent on a horse.” Stories like Junior’s highlight how regenerative medicine can give horses a second chance at a full and active life. Thousands of horses like Junior have been treated for tendon, ligament, and joint injuries, allowing many to return to competition and maintain long-term soundness.

This week is National Veterinary Technician Week, and VetStem is proud to recognize the dedicated, compassionate, and skilled veterinary technicians who play a vital role in patient care. Vet techs provide hands-on care, support diagnostics and treatments, and ensure every patient receives the best possible experience. Their expertise and empathy extend beyond the exam room, touching the lives of both animals and their owners every single day.

At VetStem, we have the privilege of working closely with veterinary technicians across the country who help make regenerative medicine possible. From assisting with stem cell procedures to processing paperwork and scheduling stem cell treatments, vet techs are instrumental in every step of the process. Their attention to detail and commitment to excellence help ensure the success of VetStem Cell Therapy treatments.

Many members of our own VetStem team are former veterinary technicians, bringing their clinical experience and knowledge of animal care to every aspect of what we do. From laboratory processing to customer support and education, the VetStem team leverages this expertise to ensure the highest quality care for every patient and provide veterinarians with the guidance and support they need for successful stem cell treatments

This week, and every week, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to veterinary technicians everywhere. Your passion, skill, and dedication make an incredible difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them. Thank you for the compassion you bring to your work and for being an essential part of the VetStem family. Happy National Veterinary Technician Week!

Stem cell therapy has become a powerful tool in veterinary medicine, offering pets relief from degenerative conditions such as arthritis, soft tissue injuries, and even certain internal medicine conditions such as kidney disease and inflammatory bowel disease. One of VetStem’s most valuable services is stem cell banking. By storing your pet’s stem cells after the initial collection, you ensure that additional treatments can be performed easily in the future without the need for another collection procedure. Banking stem cells provides peace of mind, knowing that your pet’s cells are readily available whenever a retreatment is needed.

Pets with degenerative conditions such as arthritis may greatly benefit from routine stem cell treatments. Retreatments can be an essential part of maintaining your pet’s mobility and comfort. As pets age or as certain conditions progress, a single stem cell treatment may not be enough to maintain optimal results long-term. With banked cells, retreatments are easy and efficient. Veterinarians can quickly access the stored cells and administer additional doses to support ongoing healing and joint health.

Even if your pet uses up their initial supply of stem cell doses, VetStem has you covered. VetStem has the ability to culture more of your pet’s stem cells to provide additional doses for treatment. With one fat collection procedure, VetStem has the ability to provide a lifetime supply of stem cells for your pet. By planning for retreatments and utilizing our stem cell banking service, pet owners can take a proactive approach in managing their pet’s quality of life, helping them stay active, comfortable, and happy for years to come.

As the seasons shift into fall, October brings with it two important pet health observances: National Pet Obesity Awareness Month and National Walk Your Dog Week. These awareness campaigns go hand in hand, since one of the most beneficial activities for your dog’s health is also one of the simplest: a daily walk. Walking not only supports joint health, mobility, and overall quality of life, but it also plays a key role in reducing excess weight and helping your dog maintain a healthy body condition.

Extra weight places additional stress on your dog’s joints, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and arthritis over time. Regular walks help to break this cycle by burning calories, strengthening muscles, and improving joint flexibility. Even short, consistent walks can make a difference in your dog’s weight and comfort while also providing valuable mental stimulation.

For some dogs, however, walking may not be enough, especially if they are already dealing with arthritis or significant joint pain. That’s where VetStem Cell Therapy can help. VetStem works to reduce inflammation and pain, promote healing, and improve mobility. The benefits of stem cell therapy can make it easier and more comfortable for dogs to enjoy regular walks, which in turn helps with weight management and overall joint health.

This October, celebrate National Walk Your Dog Week by making daily walks a priority. And if your pet struggles with joint pain or mobility issues, talk to your veterinarian about whether VetStem Cell Therapy could provide the extra support they need to get back on their paws.

Looking for a VetStem provider? Contact us for a list of veterinarians near you!

As we wrap up our Animal Pain Awareness Month blog series, we’re revisiting the important role that VetStem Cell Therapy can play in managing pain. In last week’s post, we discussed how stem cells help reduce both acute and chronic pain. This week, we’ll show how that science translates into real-world results by sharing the story of Nellie-Jane, a beagle who was struggling with arthritis in multiple joints.

In addition to hip dysplasia, which caused painful hip arthritis, Nellie was also diagnosed with moderate arthritis in her elbows, knees, and shoulder. These degenerative conditions can severely limit mobility and quality of life, often leaving dogs uncomfortable despite standard therapies. To help Nellie, her veterinarian, Dr. Keith Clement of Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital, recommended VetStem Cell Therapy.

To begin her treatment, Dr. Clement collected a small sample of fat tissue from Nellie’s abdomen, which was sent to the VetStem laboratory for processing. Technicians extracted and concentrated her stem and regenerative cells, preparing eight doses for use. Within 48 hours, Nellie received stem cell injections into each of her arthritic joints, as well as an intravenous injection.

According to her owner, the results were clear: “Stem cell therapy made a huge difference for Nellie. It gave her back a lot of mobility and reduced her pain.” Nellie’s case is a great example of how stem cells don’t just support healing, they directly reduce pain, target inflammation, and support tissue repair. By addressing pain at its source, VetStem Cell Therapy helps pets regain comfort, stay active, and enjoy a better quality of life.

Curious if your pet may benefit from VetStem Cell Therapy? Speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.

Nellie-Jane

In this third installment of our Animal Pain Awareness Month blog series, we’re focusing on how VetStem Cell Therapy can help manage pain in pets. We know how challenging it is to watch a beloved animal struggle with discomfort, whether from arthritis, an injury, or post-surgical recovery. What makes VetStem Cell Therapy unique is that it not only supports the repair of damaged tissue but also works directly to reduce both acute and chronic pain through multiple mechanisms of action.

One of the primary ways stem cells help manage pain is by reducing inflammation, which is often a key contributor to both acute and chronic pain. After administration, stem cells migrate to areas of injury or disease and release bioactive molecules that decrease inflammation and modulate the immune response, leading to improved comfort and mobility for pets. In addition to controlling inflammation, stem cells stimulate the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. As these structures heal, the underlying source of pain is reduced, leading to improved long-term outcomes for pets.

More recent literature indicates that stem cells can also target both acute and chronic pain directly. Initially, stem cell therapy was mainly associated with healing, regeneration, and inflammation reduction. However, newer studies have explored how stem cells can directly influence pain perception. These studies reveal that stem cells release cytokines—small proteins that can act similarly to opioids in blocking pain. Interestingly, these pain-relieving effects can be reversed by Naloxone, an opioid antagonist.

As research continues to advance our understanding of pain and regenerative medicine, VetStem Cell Therapy remains a trusted option for veterinarians and pet owners alike. By addressing inflammation, promoting tissue repair, and directly modulating pain signals, stem cell therapy provides a natural, targeted approach to help pets regain comfort, mobility, and quality of life. For pets dealing with arthritis, orthopedic injuries, or post-surgical discomfort, VetStem Cell Therapy offers a pathway to both relief and long-term healing.

If you think your pet may benefit from VetStem Cell Therapy, speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.

As we continue Animal Pain Awareness Month, we want to highlight an important topic: recognizing the signs of pain in dogs and cats. Both species, but especially cats, are skilled at hiding discomfort. While some signs of pain are obvious, others can be subtle, yet all may indicate that a trip to the veterinarian is needed. Identifying and addressing pain early is essential to maintaining your pet’s quality of life.

Before diving into the signs, it’s helpful to understand the difference between acute pain and chronic pain.

• Acute pain comes on suddenly and is usually short-term. It often results from an injury, illness, or surgical procedure.
• Chronic pain is more subtle and develops gradually over time. A common example is the ongoing discomfort caused by osteoarthritis.

While acute pain is typically easier to recognize, chronic pain can be much harder to detect. To help pet parents better identify when their pets may be in pain, the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) has compiled a list of the most common signs. This resource is especially valuable for those who may not realize their pet is suffering.

Common signs of pain in pets include:

• Decreased activity such as unwillingness to accompany on walks or play, difficulty going up or down stairs, reluctance to jump onto as higher surfaces as normal (cats), slow to stand after laying down.
• Changes in their mood, personality and everyday behavior, such as being more anxious or fearful, becoming antisocial and distant, being grumpy and intolerant to other animals and people.
• Decreased appetite and interest in food.
• Over grooming or licking a particular areas on their body or in the environment.

IVAPM has also provided checklists for both dogs and cats that may help to determine if your pet is experiencing pain.

Being able to recognize when your pet is in pain is an important part of keeping them happy and healthy. Even subtle changes in activity, behavior, or appetite may be a sign that something isn’t right. Resources like IVAPM’s pain checklists can help pet parents spot these signs early and know when it’s time to seek veterinary care. By catching pain sooner rather than later, you can help ensure your dog or cat enjoys the best possible quality of life.

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, an initiative spearheaded by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM). This annual event is dedicated to raising awareness about pain in animals and the importance of proper pain management in veterinary medicine. At VetStem, we share this mission and recognize the vital role that IVAPM plays in advancing education, research, and treatment strategies for managing animal pain.

Animals, like people, experience both acute and chronic pain. Whether from surgery, injury, or conditions such as arthritis, untreated pain can have profound effects on an animal’s health, mobility, and overall quality of life. There are many signs that a pet may be in pain, which we will cover in next week’s blog.

At VetStem, we also recognize the tremendous impact that organizations like IVAPM have on advancing veterinary care. Our mission – to improve the lives of animals through regenerative medicine – aligns closely with IVAPM’s focus on reducing pain and enhancing quality of life. VetStem Cell Therapy has helped numerous dogs, cats, and horses with painful orthopedic conditions experience significant improvements in mobility and comfort. We believe that regenerative medicine is a valuable addition to the multimodal pain management approach.

Animal Pain Awareness Month also serves as an important reminder for pet owners to stay alert to subtle signs of discomfort in their pets. Limping, changes in activity, decreased appetite, or altered behavior can all be indicators of pain. If you suspect your pet may be in pain, consult your veterinarian to discuss diagnosis and treatment options.

Last week, the VetStem team had the opportunity to sponsor and exhibit at the annual Fetch DVM360 conference in Kansas City. This event brings together veterinary professionals from across the country to learn, collaborate, and explore the latest advancements in veterinary medicine. We were proud to not only exhibit but also to sponsor two educational sessions presented by leaders in the field.

Our founder and CEO, Dr. Bob Harman, presented his session, Cell Shift: Transforming Vet Medicine with Regenerative Therapy. His talk explored the powerful potential of regenerative medicine in small animal practice, with a focus on the use of mesenchymal stem cells. Attendees gained a solid foundation in stem cell biology while also learning about evidence-based clinical applications for immune-mediated conditions, chronic kidney disease, and orthopedic disorders.

We also sponsored a session by Dr. Juli Goldstein, small animal technical services veterinarian for PetVivo Animal Health. Her lecture, Advancing Care for Osteoarthritis in Small Animal Practice, addressed osteoarthritis as a debilitating condition that can significantly impact quality of life. She reviewed the latest research on the degenerative process leading to OA and highlighted new treatment options, including joint injections such as PrecisePRP™, as part of a multimodal approach to OA management.

In addition to these educational sessions, our team enjoyed connecting with veterinarians and technicians in the exhibit hall. These conversations provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the benefits of VetStem Cell Therapy and how regenerative medicine can be integrated into clinical practice to improve outcomes for patients.

We’d like to thank Fetch DVM360 for hosting another successful conference and all of the veterinary professionals who stopped by our booth to learn more about stem cell therapy. We look forward to continuing the conversation and advancing the role of regenerative medicine in veterinary care.

VetStem CEO, Dr. Bob Harman, with PetVivo technical services vet, Dr. Juli Goldstein

Dr. Harman’s lecture “Cell Shift: Transforming Vet Medicine with Regenerative Therapy”

Dr. Goldstein’s lecture “Advancing Care for Osteoarthritis in Small Animal Practice”

Every year, National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day serves as an important reminder of how vital regular veterinary care is for our feline companions. Despite this, statistics show that cats are brought in for routine check-ups far less frequently than dogs. One major reason? Cats are experts at hiding pain and illness, often showing no outward signs until a condition has significantly progressed.

That’s why routine veterinary visits are so crucial. They give your vet the opportunity to detect early warning signs of disease and recommend proactive treatments that can improve your cat’s comfort and quality of life. One such innovative treatment option is VetStem Cell Therapy, which uses your cat’s own stem cells to promote healing and reduce inflammation. At VetStem, we’ve seen great results helping cats with osteoarthritis regain mobility and reduce pain.

Beyond arthritis, stem cells have shown promise in treating chronic kidney disease, gingivostomatitis (a painful oral disease), and inflammatory bowel disease. Check out our recent blog for more information about VetStem Cell Therapy for these hard-to-treat conditions in cats.

If you’re considering VetStem Cell Therapy for your cat, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Here’s a quick overview of how the process works:

1. Collection: Your veterinarian collects a sample of fat tissue from your cat during a minor procedure performed under anesthesia.
2. Processing: The sample is sent overnight in a temperature-controlled container to our VetStem lab, where technicians isolate and concentrate your cat’s stem cells.
3. Treatment: Stem cell doses are then shipped back to your veterinarian for immediate injection. Any remaining cells will be cryopreserved for potential future use.

The entire procedure is designed to be minimally invasive and focused on your cat’s comfort and safety.

Our cats may not always tell us when something is wrong, but regular veterinary care, and staying informed about treatment options like VetStem Cell Therapy, can make a world of difference in their well-being. This National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day, consider scheduling your cat for a check-up and ask your vet if stem cell therapy could be right for your feline friend.

Need a list of VetStem providers near you? Contact us today!