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.