Endangered Species Day on May 15th is a time to recognize the global effort to protect vulnerable wildlife. That effort increasingly includes innovative veterinary care. Around the world, zoos, aquariums, and wildlife conservation organizations are not only working to preserve species but also to ensure the animals in their care live healthy, comfortable lives. As animals live longer thanks to improved conservation and husbandry practices, age-related conditions like arthritis, soft tissue injuries, and degenerative diseases may begin to affect their quality of life.

That’s where VetStem Cell Therapy is making a meaningful impact. Regenerative medicine has been used to improve quality of life across a wide range of animals, including many species that are endangered or vulnerable. From multiple species of rhinos to the iconic California condor, giraffes, takins, a sun bear, cheetahs, and both African and Asian elephants, wildlife organizations across the country have turned to VetStem to help keep the animals in their care comfortable and active. These treatments have been utilized to support healing, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility in animals that may otherwise have limited options.

On Endangered Species Day, it’s worth highlighting how advancements in veterinary medicine are playing a supporting role in conservation. By helping individual animals feel and function better, stem cell therapy contributes to broader efforts to sustain healthy populations, whether in managed care or as part of reintroduction programs. At VetStem, we’re proud to collaborate with veterinary and conservation teams around the country, helping provide innovative treatment options that support both animal welfare and species preservation.

May is Arthritis Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on a condition that affects countless pets, especially as they age. Arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, is a degenerative joint disease that leads to inflammation, pain, and decreased mobility. While it’s commonly associated with senior pets, younger animals can also be affected, particularly those with prior injuries or joint conditions like hip dysplasia. Pets may show subtle signs at first, like stiffness after rest, hesitation to jump or climb stairs, or a decreased interest in activity. Because these changes can come on gradually, arthritis often goes unnoticed until it begins to significantly impact quality of life.

Certain factors can increase a pet’s risk of developing arthritis. Large and giant breed dogs are more prone to joint issues like hip and elbow dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis over time. Excess weight, repetitive high-impact activity, and previous orthopedic injuries, like cruciate ligament tears, also contribute to joint degeneration. Early recognition and proactive management are key. Routine veterinary exams, maintaining a healthy weight, and appropriate exercise can all play an important role in protecting long-term joint health.

And let’s not forget, cats get arthritis too, though it’s often underdiagnosed because they tend to hide signs of discomfort better than dogs. Instead of obvious limping, cats with arthritis may simply jump less, hesitate before climbing, groom less, or become less interactive. These changes are sometimes mistaken for “normal aging,” but they can be signs of chronic joint pain. Because cats are so good at masking discomfort, it’s especially important for owners to pay attention to small behavioral shifts and discuss any concerns with their veterinarian.

For pets already experiencing arthritis, there are several treatment options available to help manage pain and improve mobility. In addition to traditional approaches like anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy, regenerative medicine has become an increasingly popular option. VetStem Cell Therapy utilizes a pet’s own stem cells to help reduce inflammation and support the body’s natural healing processes. Many pets treated with stem cells have experienced improved comfort and activity levels, leading to a better quality of life. If you notice signs of arthritis in your pet, talk to your veterinarian about the best plan to keep them active, comfortable, and thriving. Or if you’re interested in having your pet treated with VetStem Cell Therapy, use our Locate a Vet tool for a list of VetStem providers near you.

National Purebred Dog Day on May 1^st is a great time to celebrate everything that makes purebred dogs so special. From working and sporting breeds to loyal companions, each one has been developed with a specific purpose in mind. Along with those unique traits, some purebred dogs may also be prone to certain inherited orthopedic issues.

Conditions like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and ligament injuries are seen more often in certain breeds, especially larger dogs. Over time, these issues can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. That being said, it’s important to keep this in perspective. Responsible breeders put a lot of effort into health screening and improving their lines, and many purebred dogs live long, active lives. Still, being aware of potential risks can help veterinarians and pet owners to monitor joint health more closely and take proactive steps when needed.

Of course, arthritis is not limited to purebred dogs. Age, injury, weight, and activity level all play a role, so any dog can develop joint issues over time. Staying informed, keeping dogs at a healthy weight, and exploring treatment options when needed can go a long way in supporting comfort and mobility throughout their lives.

For dogs dealing with orthopedic issues like arthritis or soft tissue injuries, VetStem Cell Therapy may be another option to consider. This treatment uses a dog’s own stem cells with the goal of reducing inflammation and supporting the body’s natural healing response. Not every dog is a candidate and results can vary, but many dogs have experienced improved comfort and mobility after treatment. Pet owners should always talk with their veterinarian to see what makes the most sense for their dog. Or click here to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.

This Sunday is International Search and Rescue Dog Day, a time to celebrate the incredible dogs who dedicate their lives to finding the lost, aiding in disaster response, and serving their communities with unwavering determination. These highly trained K9s are more than working dogs, they are true heroes.

One such hero is Yana, a driven and dedicated German Shepherd whose story is a powerful example of resilience, advanced veterinary care, and the impact of regenerative medicine.

From an early age, Yana showed exceptional potential. By just three years old, she had already earned two AKC tracking titles and was actively training for Search and Rescue work in California. But her journey took a sudden turn when she suffered a grade 2, or partial, iliopsoas tear. Her veterinarian recommended treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy.

Yana received stem cell injections into the injured area, using her own regenerative cells.  Her owner recalls the recovery process as difficult but ultimately worth it. For a high-drive Search and Rescue dog, nearly a year of strict leash-only activity was a significant challenge. Fortunately, Yana responded well to stem cell therapy and follow-up imaging revealed complete healing of the tendon, an outcome that is not always achieved with this type of injury.

Approximately 11 months after her injury, Yana returned to her Search and Rescue duties, fully restored to her agile, hardworking self. She went on to earn certification and has since spent over five years serving the people of California, helping to locate missing individuals and support critical missions.

On this International Search and Rescue Dog Day, Yana’s story reminds us of the physical demands placed on these remarkable animals and the importance of innovative treatment options that help keep them in the field. Thanks to VetStem Cell Therapy, dogs like Yana don’t just recover, they get back to the life-saving work they’re trained to do.

Yana

When your pet is facing surgery or a significant diagnosis, the focus is usually on treating the immediate issue. But that same moment can also be an opportunity to plan ahead. Stem cell storage, or banking, allows pet owners to preserve their pet’s own regenerative cells for future use.

In many cases, a small sample of fat tissue can be collected during a planned procedure while the pet is already under anesthesia. The tissue is processed to isolate stem cells and stored for later use. This avoids the need for an additional procedure down the road and ensures that treatment options are readily available if new conditions arise.

One dog owner shared their experience after their dog, Hines, was diagnosed with fragmented coronoid process (FCP) and underwent surgery:

“After our working line GSD was diagnosed with Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP) in his elbows, we proceeded with surgical intervention to remove the fragmented bone and alleviate his discomfort. During the surgery, we opted to have adipose (fat) tissue harvested and sent to VetStem for stem cell processing and storage. This decision was based on our veterinary surgeon’s recommendation and our own research into regenerative medicine and its growing success in orthopedic conditions.

The primary reason we chose to harvest stem cells at the time of surgery was to take advantage of a single anesthesia event and to ensure we had access to regenerative treatment options both for his current condition and any future joint issues. Having his stem cells banked also gives us peace of mind, knowing we can access additional doses in the future if needed—whether for his joints or for other age-related conditions where stem cell therapy is applicable.

We are incredibly grateful for the regenerative option VetStem provided. It gives our dog a better chance at long-term comfort and mobility, and we highly recommend considering stem cell therapy as part of a comprehensive orthopedic treatment plan. We make sure to mention this therapy to all in the Schutzhund world to have as a resource and tool in the toolkit.”

Storing stem cells creates flexibility for the future. Cells collected when a pet is younger and healthier can be used later for conditions involving inflammation, degeneration, or injury. For active and working dogs in particular, this can be a valuable part of a long-term health plan.

Speak to your veterinarian about VetStem Cell Therapy options for your pet. Or contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.

During Hines’ elbow surgery, adipose (fat) tissue was collected for stem cell processing and storage for future use.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting pets, impacting an estimated 1 in 5 dogs in the United States. Despite how common it is, OA may be missed because pets naturally hide pain and discomfort. As a result, many signs of joint disease are mistaken for normal aging.

Pets are often very good at hiding discomfort, which can make it difficult to recognize when something isn’t quite right. Subtle changes in behavior or activity level are often the first indicators that your pet may be dealing with pain or reduced mobility.

Some common signs to watch for include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Lameness or a change in gait
• Decrease in activity or reluctance to walk, run or exercise
• Difficulty navigating stairs or jumping on couches
• Difficulty getting up from lying down
• Muscle wasting
• Sudden changes in behavior, such as irritability or aggression

These signs are often associated with conditions like osteoarthritis, which is one of the most common reasons pets are treated with VetStem Cell Therapy. Over time, inflammation and joint degeneration can lead to chronic discomfort and decreased quality of life. But stem cell therapy may help!

VetStem Cell Therapy works by helping to reduce inflammation and support the body’s natural repair processes. Rather than simply masking pain, stem cell therapy aims to address underlying issues within the joint or injured tissue. Many pet owners report improvements in mobility, activity level, and overall comfort following treatment.

In addition to reducing inflammation, stem cells have the ability to downregulate pain signals, promote tissue healing, and support the regeneration of damaged structures within the joint. VetStem Cell Therapy utilizes your pet’s fat tissue to extract and concentrate their own stem and regenerative cells. These cells are then delivered by your veterinarian directly into the joint or injured tissue, where they can begin working at the source of the problem.

Recognizing the early signs of discomfort is one of the most important steps in supporting your pet’s long-term health and quality of life. If you’ve noticed any of these changes, it may be time to talk with your veterinarian about available options. While not every pet is a candidate, VetStem Cell Therapy offers a regenerative approach that may help improve comfort, mobility, and overall well-being for many animals.

If you are considering VetStem Cell Therapy for your pet, you may be wondering if it is the right fit. While this treatment has helped many animals, not every pet is an ideal candidate. Understanding a few important factors can help guide your decision.

First, consider the type and severity of your pet’s condition. Stem cell therapy is often used for issues involving inflammation, tissue damage, or degeneration, such as osteoarthritis, soft tissue injuries, and certain chronic diseases. Pets with mild to moderate disease may respond more predictably than those with end stage conditions. That said, even pets with more severe issues may still experience improvements in comfort and quality of life.

Next is your pet’s overall health. Pets that are otherwise healthy are typically better candidates. Stem cell therapy works in part by supporting the body’s natural repair processes, so a healthier baseline can help improve outcomes. Additionally, your pet needs to be healthy enough to undergo anesthesia for the fat collection process. Stem cell therapy is also not recommended in pets with active cancer.

Age is less important than many people think. While younger pets may respond more quickly, older pets can still see improvements in comfort and mobility. Many owners pursue treatment for their senior pets to help them live their golden years in comfort. In fact, over 80% of older dogs treated with VetStem Cell Therapy for osteoarthritis showed an improved quality of life.

Finally, it is important to think about your goals and expectations. Stem cell therapy is not a cure, but it can be a valuable tool. Some pet owners hope to restore activity levels, while others want to reduce pain or delay more invasive procedures. Results can vary, and improvements may take time, but many pets show positive changes in mobility and comfort.

Every pet is different, and the best way to know if stem cell therapy is right for your pet is to talk with your veterinarian. Together, you can review your pet’s condition and decide on the best path forward.

When Auggie, a Great Pyrenees, was adopted at around three years old, his family quickly noticed he didn’t seem very comfortable. He was panting more than usual and struggling to make it around the block on walks. His veterinarian diagnosed him with bilateral hip osteoarthritis resulting from hip dysplasia, a condition commonly seen in large and giant breed dogs.

To help improve his comfort and mobility, Auggie’s veterinarian, board-certified veterinary surgeon Dr. Kim Carlson of Lenity Vet Specialists and Emergency Care, recommended treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy. Stem cells can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and support the repair of damaged joint tissue. Auggie’s owners were also relieved to learn the procedure was covered by their pet insurance, making the decision to move forward an easy one.

Auggie responded very well to treatment. According to his owner, “Auggie went from not being able to walk around the block, to playing with our Newfoundlands and increasing his mileage to a 45-minute walk.” Since his initial treatment, Auggie has also received several follow-up injections using his own cryopreserved stem cells, allowing for convenient retreatment without the need for another fat collection procedure.

Unfortunately, 1 out of 5 dogs experience joint pain and mobility issues. As a giant breed, Auggie was predisposed to joint dysplasia/arthritis. With VetStem Cell Therapy, however, pet owners have another option to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support a better quality of life for dogs dealing with osteoarthritis. 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.

Auggie

Spring is finally here! Warmer weather, blooming flowers, and longer days make it a favorite season for many of us, and our pets love spending more time outside, too. But along with all that fresh air comes something less enjoyable: seasonal allergies. Just like people, dogs and cats can react to environmental allergens like pollen, grasses, and mold, and those allergens tend to peak during the spring months.

Pets with allergies often show their symptoms through their skin. You might notice increased itching, licking or chewing at the paws, red or irritated skin, or frequent ear infections. For some pets, these symptoms can become a recurring seasonal struggle that requires ongoing management. While medications, special diets, and topical treatments can help control symptoms, they don’t always address the underlying inflammation that drives allergic disease.

That’s where regenerative medicine may offer another option. VetStem Cell Therapy uses a pet’s own stem cells to help reduce inflammation and modulate the immune system. Because stem cells have natural anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, they may help calm the overactive immune response that contributes to allergies. For some pets, this can mean improved skin health and fewer allergy flare-ups.

Though the research is currently limited, several studies involving dogs treated with stem cells for atopic dermatitis have shown encouraging results. That being said, additional research is needed to further explore and confirm the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for allergic conditions.

If your pet tends to struggle this time of year, you’re not alone. Seasonal allergies are incredibly common. As spring allergens ramp up, it may be worth having a conversation with your veterinarian about all available treatment options, including VetStem Cell Therapy. With the right plan in place, your pet can spend less time scratching and more time enjoying the season.

Every year on March 13th, we celebrate National K9 Veterans Day, a day dedicated to honoring the incredible military, police, search and rescue, and working dogs who serve alongside their human partners. These dogs put their lives on the line to protect and support us. This day recognizes not only their service, but also their sacrifice.

At VetStem, we have been fortunate to be a small part of several working dogs’ journeys. Over the years, we have worked alongside dedicated veterinarians and handlers who are committed to keeping their canine partners comfortable, active, and able to do the jobs they were trained to do. In fact, a published study involving police K9s treated with VetStem Cell Therapy for semitendinosus myopathy, a muscle injury that can significantly impact performance, showed that stem cell treatment supported healing and helped these dogs return to full duty. It is always an honor to support these teams and witness firsthand the impact regenerative medicine can have on dogs who give so much of themselves in service to others.

One such unforgettable hero is Lex, a military working dog who served in Iraq as a bomb detection dog. After losing his handler, Corporal Dustin Lee, in combat, Lex sustained injuries and later developed degenerative joint disease. As he aged, mobility became more difficult. With VetStem Cell Therapy, Lex received injections of his own stem cells to help address joint inflammation and discomfort. Following treatment, he experienced improved mobility and comfort, an outcome we are always honored to be part of.

We have also seen stem cell therapy make a difference for dogs like Jax, a working explosive detection dog diagnosed with hip dysplasia at a young age. Hip pain could have ended his career early, but after treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, Jax’s lameness resolved and he was able to continue working. For Yana, a dedicated search and rescue K9 who suffered a muscle injury, stem cell therapy supported healing so she could return to the job she loves. In another inspiring story, a hardworking service dog named Walter Beaux who struggled with inflammatory bowel disease was able to return to his daily duties after stem cell therapy helped resolve his symptoms.

On National K9 Veterans Day, we are proud to celebrate these remarkable dogs and to support veterinarians and handlers with regenerative medicine options that can help improve quality of life and, in many cases, help these heroes get back to work.

Officer Washington with K-9 Jago, who received VetStem Cell Therapy for semitendinosus myopathy