Earlier this week, we shared a VetStem success story about Maisey, a sweet pup who initially received VetStem Cell Therapy to help heal a torn cruciate ligament. While her orthopedic recovery went well, Maisey later required a second stem cell treatment—but this time for a very different and unexpected reason. Though we don’t currently have substantial clinical data for this type of application, cases like Maisey’s offer valuable anecdotal evidence that may help guide future research and therapeutic possibilities. Read on to hear a firsthand account from Maisey’s owner.

In September, while my family and I were away, Maisey stayed with a caretaker. Unfortunately, a terrible house fire occurred. After rescuing the dogs, the fire department sent Maisey, along with several other dogs, to Cornell Veterinary Hospital in Stamford, CT. Chest X-rays indicated smoke inhalation injuries, and blood work showed high levels of carbon monoxide. We ordered her VetStem treatment as soon as she was released. Before the treatment, Maisey had bloodshot eyes, red gums, and a persistent cough that lasted day and night. A few days after her treatment, her eyes were clear, her gums returned to normal, and her cough had completely resolved. Everyone believes her recovery was much quicker because of the treatments—other dogs who did not receive the therapy experienced lingering symptoms for weeks afterward. We couldn’t have been happier to know that choosing the VetStem treatment was the right decision!

WOW!! Though VetStem has not conducted studies on the use of stem cells for smoke inhalation, we do know that stem cells possess anti-inflammatory properties and support tissue regeneration. These effects may have contributed to Maisey’s swift recovery. We’re thankful she had her cells banked ahead of time, allowing for rapid access to this potentially life-saving therapy when she needed it most.

Maisey

Today is Take Your Dog to Work Day, and at VetStem, we think it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the special bond we share with our canine companions. Whether your dog is a seasoned office pup or a first-time visitor, studies have shown that bringing your furry friend to work can add joy, reduce stress, and promote a more relaxed and connected workplace environment.

But did you know that it can also be a great time to observe your dog’s health and mobility? With the extra time spent together, you may notice signs of discomfort that might not be obvious during your usual routine. Things like stiffness after resting, hesitation to jump or climb stairs, or limping after activity could be subtle signs of osteoarthritis or orthopedic injury, conditions that VetStem Cell Therapy may be able to help.

VetStem has treated thousands of dogs with stem cell therapy for arthritis, tendon and ligament injuries, and other degenerative conditions. If your dog is showing signs of joint pain, now might be a good time to talk to your veterinarian about whether VetStem Cell Therapy is a good option (or contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you).

So, as you enjoy the tail wags and extra cuddles this Take Your Dog to Work Day, remember to keep an eye on your pup’s well-being. A healthy, happy dog makes the best coworker!

When most people hear about stem cell therapy for pets, they immediately think of arthritis. And for good reason! VetStem Cell Therapy has helped thousands of animals find relief from painful, degenerative joint disease. But did you know stem cell therapy can also help with a range of other medical conditions?

Stem cells are commonly used to treat soft tissue injuries, including tears in ligaments, tendons, and muscles. One of the most frequently addressed conditions with VetStem Cell Therapy is a cruciate ligament tear. Stem cells can aid in the healing process and help minimize scar tissue formation, whether used alone or in conjunction with surgery. In addition to promoting tissue repair, stem cells have the ability to reduce pain and inflammation, offering pets a better quality of life during recovery. This regenerative approach may be especially helpful for animals that have shown limited improvement with conventional treatments, offering a more effective option for long-term recovery and potentially decreasing the risk of future arthritis development.

In addition to orthopedic applications, VetStem Cell Therapy has demonstrated potential in treating various internal medicine conditions. For instance, stem cell therapy has shown encouraging results in managing chronic kidney disease as well as gingivostomatitis in cats. It has also been used with some success in treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a challenging condition affecting both cats and dogs. Furthermore, promising outcomes have been observed in cases involving allergic skin conditions and immune-mediated diseases.

If your pet is facing a health challenge beyond arthritis, stem cell therapy may still be an option. Talk to your veterinarian to learn whether VetStem Cell Therapy could play a role in your pet’s care plan. You can also contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.

As pet parents, we all want to be prepared, whether it’s for an unexpected injury or a chronic condition that affects our furry friend’s comfort and quality of life. What if there was a way to plan ahead for your pet’s health, giving you access to cutting-edge treatment options before problems arise? That’s where VetStem StemInsure comes in.

VetStem’s StemInsure is a proactive stem cell banking service that allows pet owners to have their pet’s own regenerative stem cells collected and stored for future use. A small sample of fat tissue is

collected by your veterinarian, typically during a routine procedure like a spay/neuter or dental cleaning—and sent to VetStem’s lab, where stem cells are isolated and cryopreserved. These banked cells can later be used to treat a variety of orthopedic conditions like arthritis and soft tissue injuries, as well as various internal medicine and inflammatory diseases, providing a personalized and minimally invasive treatment option when it’s needed most.

The key benefit of StemInsure is that it prepares you in advance. By banking stem cells when your pet is young and healthy, you’re capturing them at their most potent and avoiding the need for future surgical collection when your pet is older or ill. Because VetStem Cell Therapy uses your pet’s own cells, it reduces the risk of reaction and allows for faster access to treatment if health issues arise down the road.

VetStem StemInsure gives peace of mind and flexibility in managing your pet’s long-term wellness. Whether your pet is an active breed, has a predisposition to joint issues, or you simply want to be ready for the unexpected, banking stem cells today ensures you’re equipped with advanced treatment options for tomorrow.

As Arthritis Awareness Month comes to an end, we wanted to share one more VetStem success story. As discussed in our recent blog, arthritis is not just a dog problem. It’s actually very common in cats as well, though it is unfortunately underdiagnosed. But, just like dogs, cats with arthritis can benefit from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy! This is Zo’s stem cell success story, as told by her loving owner, Ruth.

Always a friendly and social cat, my thirteen-year-old tortoise shell “Zo” was now spending her days lying on my bed. Isolated, she rarely left the room even for meals. A trip to our vet revealed severe arthritis in both elbows of her front limbs. Her pain level must have been quite severe since it was on both sides and she could not favor one side or the other when moving. It was, as my vet described it, like having “a nail in both shoes.” Cats are quite stoic, but apparently she had been suffering for some time.

I couldn’t bear the thought of her spending every day in pain, and I feared the other problems that her now-limited mobility would create: loss of confidence, weight gain, muscle atrophy, and depression. Aside from the arthritis, she was a trim, healthy cat and I wanted to keep her that way. I also knew that she would never tolerate bimonthly vet visits, injections, or other treatments. Zo has never done well with going to the vet’s and the emotional stress the visits bring on would eventually further degrade her physical condition.

When my vet told me about the VetStem treatment option, I made an immediate decision to try it. While the initial cost was sobering, ultimately the treatment would be cheaper than a year or two of injections and/or laser sessions, her only other treatment options. She would be spared the trauma of repeated vet visits and I wouldn’t have to worry about her pain level increasing as each injection began wearing off. She would be able to live pain-free, active, and happy, helping her to maintain her overall good health and quality of life for the next few years.

It has now been five weeks since her surgery, and the results are quite dramatic—better than I could have ever hoped for. She is her old self again: bossy, outgoing, and engaged in family life. The other day I found her sitting on top of a mattress leaning against a wall (we have just moved). This was a height of about five and a half feet. I’m not sure how she got up there, as she may have jumped up on some other boxes to get there, but any of these acts would have been absolutely impossible for her a month ago. To slow down further deterioration of her elbow joints, I did get some pet steps for her and am trying to convince her to use them, but she is obviously able to get around fine without them.

So many times with a pet’s illness, there are simply no good treatment options. This time there was one—the VetStem treatment. I am so grateful for being spared from making, God forbid, the wrenching decision of either putting her to sleep or watching her suffer every day for the rest of her life. I am extraordinarily pleased with the results of this treatment. For us, it was definitely the best option to keep her healthy, happy, and in our lives for a little while longer.

Zo

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

As we continue Arthritis Awareness Month, we wanted to share a VetStem success story about a dog who lived a better quality of life after receiving VetStem Cell Therapy for arthritis. At just 12 weeks old, Cherry Pie, a cocker spaniel, was hit by a car, breaking her right femur and knee. She underwent multiple surgeries and two rounds of stem cell treatments with another provider. Unfortunately, her initial stem cell supply ran out after just two treatments and her injuries left her with arthritis at a young age, which began to affect her quality of life.

That’s when her veterinarian recommended VetStem Cell Therapy. As we discussed in last week’s blog, stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate into various tissue types and have been shown to alleviate pain and inflammation, restore range of motion, and promote the regeneration of tendons, ligaments, and joint tissues. A peer-reviewed study found that stem cell treatment significantly reduced pain and lameness in dogs with chronic osteoarthritis of the hip.

Unlike her previous experience, VetStem only needs one fat collection to create a lifetime supply of your pet’s own stem cells. Cherry Pie had a small amount of fat collected from her abdomen, which was sent to the VetStem lab in California. From there, her cells were processed, packed into doses, and shipped back for treatment. Cherry Pie received one dose of her own stem cells in her knee, one in her hip, and another was given intravenously. The rest were put into cryopreservation for future use.

Over the next four years, Cherry Pie received yearly stem cell treatments using her banked cells, and the results were amazing. Her owner reported that VetStem Cell Therapy enabled Cherry Pie to remain active and maintain a good quality of life without relying on long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Remarkably, at the age of eleven, Cherry Pie returned to obedience competitions. Her owner stated, “She finished her AKC Obedience Championship and was in the top 50 at the National Obedience Championships at the age of 12. She was also the very first cocker spaniel invited to the Westminster Master Obedience Invitational at the age of 13, securing her place as one of the greatest cockers in the breed history. Without VetStem, none of that was possible.”

Cherry Pie passed away at the age of 14, surrounded by love. Thanks to the long-term benefits of VetStem Cell Therapy, she lived her golden years pain-free and full of purpose. Her story is a powerful reminder of what regenerative medicine can do, not just to manage arthritis, but to truly give our pets the best life possible.

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

Cherry Pie

At VetStem, we often talk about the incredible healing power of stem cells, but today let’s take a closer look at how stem cells actually help heal the body, especially when it comes to orthopedic conditions like osteoarthritis in dogs and cats.

Beyond the Band-Aid: True Healing Starts at the Source

Traditional treatments for osteoarthritis, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), can help manage pain and inflammation, but they’re essentially a band-aid. While these medications may provide temporary relief, they don’t address the root cause of the problem: the degeneration of joint tissues like cartilage.

That’s where regenerative medicine, and specifically stem cell therapy, offers something truly different.

So How Do Stem Cells Work?

Stem cells are nature’s repair system. When your pet’s own stem cells are concentrated and reintroduced into the body through VetStem Cell Therapy, they go to work in several key ways:

• Tissue Regeneration: Stem cells can transform into various cell types, helping to replace damaged cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.
• Anti-Inflammatory Action: They help calm the immune system and reduce inflammation in the joints, leading to less pain and stiffness.
• Growth Factor Release: Stem cells secrete healing molecules that stimulate tissue repair and attract other healing cells to the injured area.

In other words, stem cells don’t just cover up the pain—they help rebuild what’s broken.

Think of Stem Cells Like Paramedics

Imagine stem cells as highly skilled paramedics arriving at the scene of an injury. Once injected into an arthritic joint, these cells go straight to work: reducing inflammation, cleaning up cellular debris, and helping rebuild healthy tissue. The more concentrated the “team,” the stronger the healing response.

And once the job is done, the stem cells naturally taper off their activity. There’s no ongoing medication or artificial interference, just your pet’s own body healing itself, the way it was designed to do.

A Powerful Option for Pets in Pain

If your dog is slowing down on walks or your cat is struggling to jump like they used to, osteoarthritis might be the cause. VetStem Cell Therapy offers a powerful, drug-free way to treat the source of the pain, not just the symptoms, giving your pet a better quality of life and more mobility.

Contact us for a list of VetStem providers near you.

While arthritis is often associated with aging dogs, many cat owners are surprised to learn that arthritis is also very common in cats. In fact, studies suggest that up to 90% of cats over the age of 10 have some degree of arthritis in at least one joint. Despite its prevalence, feline arthritis is significantly underdiagnosed, largely because cats are masters at hiding pain and discomfort. Without obvious limping or vocal signs of distress, arthritis in cats can easily go unnoticed.

Signs to Watch For

Recognizing arthritis in cats requires close observation. Rather than limping, arthritic cats may exhibit more subtle behavioral changes. These can include weight loss, loss of appetite, decreased activity, hesitation to jump or climb stairs, changes in grooming habits, irritability, and even litter box avoidance if climbing into the box becomes painful. Many pet parents mistake these signs for normal aging, but they may be indicators of joint pain that can be addressed with veterinary care. Fortunately, several organizations have created various resources and checklists to help determine if your cat may be in pain.

Limited Conventional Treatment Options

When it comes to treating feline arthritis, options are unfortunately limited. Unlike in dogs, there are no non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are approved for long-term use in cats due to their sensitivity to these medications. Other treatments like joint supplements and weight management can offer some relief, but they may not be enough for cats with moderate to severe arthritis. This gap in effective long-term treatment options has left many cat owners searching for alternative therapies.

VetStem Cell Therapy for Feline Arthritis

VetStem Regenerative Cell Therapy offers a promising alternative for cats suffering from arthritis. This innovative treatment uses the cat’s own fat-derived stem cells to help reduce inflammation and promote healing within the affected joints. After a simple fat collection procedure performed by a veterinarian, the stem cells are processed and injected into the painful joints. Many veterinarians and cat owners have reported improved mobility, reduced pain, and a better quality of life following treatment with stem cells. For arthritic cats with limited treatment options, VetStem Cell Therapy may provide new hope.

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

At VetStem, we’re joining the conversation this May for Arthritis Awareness Month—but with a twist: we’re putting pets in the spotlight. Just like humans, our beloved animals can suffer from the aches and stiffness of arthritis. In fact, it’s one of the most common chronic conditions diagnosed in dogs with approximately one in five dogs being affected. As for cats, it is estimated that 90% of cats over the age of 10 years experience arthritis in at least one joint.

Unfortunately, our furry companions can’t tell us when they’re hurting. And cats are especially good at hiding their pain. Instead, they may show subtle signs: limping, difficulty climbing stairs, decreased activity, or even changes in mood. That’s why awareness is so important! Check out our previous blog in which we discuss signs of pain and provide several resources to help pet owners determine if their pet may be in pain.

The good news? There are treatment options that go beyond pain medications, which often come with negative side-effects. At VetStem, we specialize in regenerative veterinary medicine, including stem cell therapy, and have helped thousands of pets experience relief from joint pain and regain mobility. Many pets have even been able to reduce or discontinue their use of anti-inflammatory medications. If you think your pet may benefit from treatment with stem cells, speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of providers near you.

So this month, take a moment to check in with your pet. If you notice signs of arthritis, talk to your vet about treatment options—because they deserve to feel their best, too. Let’s make Arthritis Awareness Month about all members of the family—two-legged and four.

At VetStem, we are proud to celebrate World Veterinary Day 2025 and this year’s theme, “Animal Health Takes a Team.” As leaders in veterinary regenerative medicine, we know firsthand that improving animal health is not a solo endeavor. It’s a collaborative effort that brings together veterinarians, technicians, assistants, researchers, and even policy-makers—all working together to ensure the best possible outcomes for the animals in our care.

At VetStem, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with veterinary teams across the country—combining their clinical expertise with our cutting-edge regenerative therapies to improve the quality of life for thousands of animals. Whether it’s treating osteoarthritis in a beloved pet or contributing to research that advances veterinary medicine, these collaborative efforts highlight the strength of teamwork, where science and compassionate care come together for the benefit of our animal companions.

It’s important to remember that animal health is directly connected to public health. Healthy animals contribute to healthier communities, and veterinary professionals are on the front lines in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases to protect both animal and human health. This World Veterinary Day, we celebrate not only the veterinarians but the entire ecosystem of professionals who work together to advance animal care. Your dedication and collaboration make cutting-edge treatments like regenerative medicine possible.