VetStem Cell Therapy, while commonly used to treat orthopedic conditions in dogs and horses, has also been successfully used to treat a number of other diseases. One such disease is kidney disease in cats. Nearly 250 cats have received VetStem Cell Therapy for kidney disease.
Kidney disease is one of the most common causes of sickness and death in cats. Common symptoms can include weight loss, lethargy, variable appetite, and poor coat quality. Some cats may also drink and urinate more, vomit, or have diarrhea.
Unfortunately, treatment options for cats with kidney disease are limited and can be costly. The good news is, based upon our own data as well as the data of others, we believe that stem cells may help improve the symptoms and quality of life in some cats with kidney disease. In fact, a review of a small number of feline patients treated with VetStem Cell Therapy showed that blood kidney values were slightly to moderately improved after treatment.
Anecdotal data from pet owners and veterinarians suggests that treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy helps to improve symptoms associated with kidney disease. Owners have reported improved appetites, weight gain, and increased energy. That being said, more data is necessary regarding the use of VetStem Cell Therapy for cats with kidney disease. Thus, we continue to research the use of stem cells for this condition under one of VetStem’s clinical research programs.
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 qualified VetStem providers near you.
We have discussed VetStem Cell Therapy for feline kidney disease many times on this blog. For a refresher and success stories, click here. But cats are not the only creatures to suffer from this potentially devastating disease. According to the International Renal Interest Society, “The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been estimated to be 0.5-1.0% in dogs.” While this may seem like a small number, that small percent of dogs may still suffer with a diagnosis like kidney disease.
Unfortunately, like with cats, treatment options for dogs with chronic kidney disease remain limited and can be costly or time consuming. Fortunately, VetStem Cell Therapy has shown some promise in the treatment of canine kidney disease. This is Abby’s story.
Abby
Abby is a basset hound mix who was diagnosed with renal disease when she was just one year old. According to her owner, she was very lethargic and would not eat or drink. With minimal treatment options, Abby’s owner elected to pursue treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy.
Abby had her fat collected and received her first stem cell treatment in August 2014. Due to the nature and severity of Abby’s condition, she went on to receive three more stem cell infusions in the four months following her initial treatment. Since then, Abby has continued to receive an intravenous injection of her own stem cells twice yearly and had her most recent treatment just three weeks ago.
According to Abby’s recent bloodwork, her kidney values are in the normal range. Her owner stated, “Six years later and she is doing great. She is a normal, happy healthy dog. I have her injected with her stem cells every six months and monitor her kidney levels through bloodwork twice a year.”
Of course, it is very heartwarming to hear a story like Abby’s. But each patient is different and stem cell therapy may not be an effective treatment option for all patients with kidney disease. If your pet has kidney disease, it is best to speak with your veterinarian to determine if stem cell therapy may be a good option for your pet. Or you can contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers in your area.
Based on 15+ years of data, veterinarians primarily use VetStem Cell Therapy to treat dogs and horses. But cats have also benefited from stem cell therapy. In previous blogs, we have discussed stem cell therapy for various diseases in cats. For a good overview, read this blog.
VetStem Cell Therapy for Feline Kidney Disease
VetStem has processed nearly 400 feline fat samples to provide stem cells. Of these samples, over 50% have been for cats with kidney disease. Unfortunately, kidney failure may be the number one cause of sickness and death in older cats. Yet treatment options are limited and do not cure the disease.
Veterinarians have been treating feline kidney disease with VetStem Cell Therapy for over a decade. And we have seen some promising results! But nothing is as good as hearing about a kitty who experienced those results firsthand. This is Trinity’s story.
Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Plan
Trinity is a ragdoll cat who was diagnosed with renal failure when she was twelve years old. She had several symptoms including vomiting, not eating, lethargy, weakness, and weight loss. She was uninterested and spent a lot of time hiding. Her mom worked with several vets to find an effective treatment protocol for Trinity, but she continued to feel bad, and her blood kidney values kept going up.
Eventually, Trinity’s mom found Dr. Tamera Cole at The Animal Hospital at Steiner Ranch. Dr. Cole started Trinity on fluids and multiple medications to ease her symptoms and support her kidneys. Though Trinity’s mom noticed improvement, she continued to research additional treatment options.
Treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy
In her research, Trinity’s mom came across VetStem Cell Therapy and brought it up to Dr. Cole. Dr. Cole was already credentialed to perform the VetStem procedure and agreed that stem cell therapy may help Trinity.
She moved forward with the process and collected a sample of fat tissue from Trinity in a minimally invasive anesthetic procedure. The fat was processed at the VetStem laboratory and Trinity’s stem cells were extracted, concentrated, and divided into doses for treatment. Trinity received an intravenous dose of her own stem cells approximately 48 hours after the initial fat collection procedure. She went on to receive a second intravenous dose approximately two weeks later.
Trinity
Trinity Gets Her Quality of Life Back
After stem cell therapy, Trinity’s owner maintained the previous treatment protocol with fluids and medications. Several months later, Dr. Cole tested Trinity’s blood work which showed no signs of kidney disease!
Her owner continued the treatment protocol and Trinity remained healthy, started eating again, and gained back all the weight she lost and more. Trinity’s mom stated, “I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to spend so many more years with Trinity. She is a continuous blessing in my life and as you can see from the picture, still shows up to work every day at my home office.”
Trinity is among several cats who have benefitted from VetStem Cell Therapy for kidney disease. Based upon data from a small number of feline patients treated with VetStem Cell Therapy, blood kidney values were slightly to moderately improved after treatment. More evaluation is necessary, however these preliminary results suggest that stem cell therapy may be a viable treatment option for cats with kidney disease.
It is officially December and we all know what that means: it’s
National Cat Lovers’ Month! To celebrate, we have a special feline success
story to share. You may remember from previous blogs such as this
one, that many veterinarians use VetStem Cell Therapy to treat a number of
internal medicine conditions in cats including kidney disease. One such patient
is Kitters, who received VetStem Cell Therapy for kidney disease over seven
years ago!
Symptoms and Diagnosis
At the age of 15, Kitters was diagnosed with kidney disease. He exhibited
many of the common symptoms of renal failure such as lack of appetite,
excessive thirst, nausea, lethargy, and weight loss. He was prescribed a
typical protocol for kidney disease which included a prescription, low protein
diet and subcutaneous fluids. While these treatments can potentially slow the progression
of the disease, they will not reverse it.
Kitters receiving an IV dose of his own stem cells
Treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy
Fortunately for Kitters, his owner found a veterinarian who was willing
to try VetStem Cell Therapy to potentially help him feel better. She drove
Kitters from Los Angeles to Oakland, California to visit Dr. Gary Richter of Montclair Veterinary Hospital. Kitters
underwent a fat tissue collection procedure to begin the VetStem process. His
fat was processed at our laboratory where his stem and regenerative cells were
extracted and concentrated. An injectable dose of Kitters’ stem cells was
shipped back to Dr. Richter for intravenous injection back into Kitters. Two
weeks later, he received a follow up intravenous injection.
Feeling Like Himself Again
Approximately 35 days after treatment with stem cells, Kitters was
clearly feeling better. He was eating more, his energy was up, and he began
putting on the weight he previously lost. His blood kidney values also went
down after treatment. His mom made a great and very informative video
documenting Kitters’ journey. You can watch it here.
VetStem Cell Therapy for Feline Kidney Disease
Kitters was originally treated back in 2013, and though he was not the
first cat to receive VetStem Cell Therapy for kidney disease, many veterinarians
were not aware of this potential treatment option back then. In recent years
however, more and more veterinarians are beginning to offer VetStem Cell Therapy
for both cats and dogs with kidney disease. As of December 2020, nearly 200
cats have received VetStem Cell Therapy for kidney disease and the outcome data
collected from these cases appears promising.
If your cat has kidney disease, speak to your veterinarian to see if
VetStem Cell Therapy may help. You can also contact us to find a VetStem provider
near you.
We’ve shared many blog posts about treating cats with stem cells. Although
we primarily process fat from dogs and horses for VetStem Cell Therapy, we’ve
provided cell processing services for over 350 cats. Like dogs, cats may
benefit from VetStem Cell Therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Veterinarians
have also treated cats for a variety of internal medicine diseases utilizing VetStem
Cell Therapy. These diseases include Gingivostomatitis, Inflammatory Bowel
Disease, and Chronic Kidney Disease. For more information about stem cell
therapy for these conditions, this blog is very helpful: Stem Cells for
Cats: An Overview.
One VetStem recipient, a domestic short haired cat name Bender, received
VetStem Cell Therapy for kidney disease and had a positive outcome. Bender’s
renal issues began when he was four years old. He ingested an unknown poison
and ended up in the emergency hospital on IV fluids for seven days. Following
this episode, Bender’s bloodwork showed elevated kidney values and he was
diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease.
Bender
Bender’s owner began researching potential treatment options and came
across the VetStem website. She requested a list of stem cell providers in her area
and was referred to Dr. Mark Parchman of Bend Veterinary Specialty and
Emergency Center. Together, Dr. Parchman and Bender’s owner agreed to move forward
with VetStem Cell Therapy.
To begin the process, Dr. Parchman collected fat from Bender. This fat
was shipped to the VetStem laboratory and aseptically processed to extract
Bender’s stem and regenerative cells. These cells were divided into doses and
one dose was shipped back to Dr. Parchman for treatment approximately 48 hours
after the fat collection. Bender received a series of three intravenous doses one
week apart. The rest of his doses were cryopreserved
for future treatment.
Approximately six months after
his third stem cell injection, Bender’s owner stated that, “By all appearances
he seems happy, healthy, playful, and active. Though he has suffered some
permanent kidney damage.”
Approximately two years after
his initial round of stem cell injections, he received a follow up intravenous
injection from his stem cell bank. That was over three years ago and according
to his owner he’s still doing well. His owner stated, “Bender is stable with
basically high normal values, lots of energy, playful and continues to do very
well considering he was so near not surviving. I believe that stem cell
treatments have helped his body recover and remain stable over five years
later. Thank you VetStem for blazing a trail for my cat.”
Bender is not the only cat with
kidney disease to benefit from VetStem Cell Therapy. Other cats have received
VetStem Cell Therapy for the treatment of kidney disease and many have
experienced positive outcomes. If your cat has kidney disease and you think
VetStem Cell Therapy may help, contact
us to receive a list of VetStem providers in your area.
A few weeks ago, we shared a blog post about stem cell therapy for arthritic cats. Similar to stem cell therapy for dogs, there are additional common feline diseases for which stem cells may be beneficial. These diseases include Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and Gingivostomatitis. VetStem is still evaluating the use of stem cells for these disease processes with some favorable results being seen. In part one of this blog series, we will discuss feline Chronic Kidney Disease and how VetStem Regenerative Cell Therapy may provide some relief.
Chronic Kidney Disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cats. Common symptoms include lethargy, increased urine output, and weight loss. Other than a kidney transplant, which is costly and invasive, there really is no definitive cure for CKD. Current therapies include supportive measures such as subcutaneous fluids and special diets. The disease process, however, will continue to progress.
VetStem veterinarians have seen some promising results in the treatment of feline CKD. Based upon data from a small number of feline patients treated with VetStem Regenerative Cell Therapy, blood kidney values were slightly to moderately improved after treatment. While more evaluation is necessary, these preliminary results suggest that stem cell therapy may be a low-risk treatment option for cats with CKD.
If your cat has Chronic Kidney Disease, stem cell therapy may provide relief. Contact us today to locate a VetStem Credentialed veterinarian in your area. And stay tuned for part 2 of this blog series in which we will discuss stem cells for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
As we celebrate National Cat Health Month, it’s important to recognize the silent struggles many cats face. Cats are notorious for hiding pain, a trait that evolved to protect them in the wild. Unfortunately, this means many conditions go unnoticed until they reach an advanced stage. One such condition is osteoarthritis, which affects a significant number of older cats but is often undiagnosed because the signs are subtle. Limping, reduced activity, and difficulty jumping may seem like just signs of aging, but these are often indications of joint pain. With VetStem Cell Therapy, cats suffering from osteoarthritis may find relief, as stem cells can help reduce pain and inflammation and promote tissue repair, thereby improving their mobility and comfort.
While stem cell therapy is widely known for treating joints and soft tissue injuries, its benefits extend beyond osteoarthritis. VetStem Cell Therapy has shown promise in treating alternative conditions like kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and gingivostomatitis. Stem cells have unique regenerative properties that can help reduce inflammation and support tissue repair in the kidneys, intestines, and gums. For cats with chronic kidney disease, stem cell therapy may help slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. In cases of IBD, stem cells can help reduce gut inflammation and modulate the immune system, thereby reducing symptoms associated with the disease. The same is true for cats suffering from gingivostomatitis, a painful inflammatory condition affecting the mouth. Stem cell therapy can promote healing of the tissues, reduce pain, and control the immune response.
As cat owners, we want the best for our feline companions, and stem cell therapy is emerging as a promising solution for a variety of conditions. By leveraging the body’s regenerative abilities, stem cell therapy can not only improve the quality of life for cats but also help manage chronic conditions that have limited treatment options. This National Cat Health Month, consider discussing stem cell therapy with your veterinarian to learn how it might benefit your cat.
Contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.
Last weekend, the VetStem Sales and Marketing team had the privilege of sponsoring, speaking, and exhibiting at the DVM360 Fetch Veterinary Conference in Long Beach, CA. Attending these veterinary conferences is always a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with both current and potential clients in person. At nearly every conference, we run into someone who has had their own pet treated with VetStem Cell Therapy. It’s always inspiring to hear their success stories firsthand!
At this year’s Fetch Long Beach event, our CEO, Dr. Bob Harman, co-presented with pain specialist and VetStem enthusiast, Dr. Jamie Gaynor. Their first lecture focused on a comprehensive approach to managing osteoarthritis. While stem cell therapy is a valuable option for pets with arthritis, many animals benefit from a multimodal treatment plan. The session explored the combination of traditional treatments like NSAIDs and physical rehabilitation with cutting-edge therapies, including CBD and regenerative medicine techniques like stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). A holistic approach to canine osteoarthritis could lead to more effective outcomes.
In their second lecture, Drs. Harman and Gaynor discussed the broad range of conditions for which pets have received both VetStem Cell Therapy and PRP. While orthopedic conditions such as osteoarthritis and soft tissue injuries continue to be the primary use for stem cells, many pets have also received stem cell therapy for internal medicine conditions such as kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and more! Likewise, PRP has been used for a number of years to manage conditions such as wound healing and corneal ulcers.
As we conclude the 2024 conference season, we want to express our gratitude to everyone who visited our booth and attended our presentations. We are excited to collaborate with many of you in the year ahead!
Earlier this week, the VetStem Sales and Marketing Team exhibited at the annual Fetch Coastal veterinary conference in Atlantic City, NJ. This marks our second time sponsoring this event. Veterinary conferences are a valuable opportunity to connect with our fellow veterinary professionals, share knowledge, and strengthen our industry relationships.
This year, one of VetStem’s experienced small animal users, Dr. Alistair Chapnick of Spot On Veterinary Hospital, delivered two talks at the conference. His first lecture explored the expanding role of stem cell therapy in veterinary medicine. While many are familiar with its use in orthopedics for conditions like osteoarthritis and tendon injuries, recent advancements have highlighted its potential in treating more complex diseases, including kidney failure, inflammatory bowel disease, and gingivostomatitis. Numerous patients have experienced significant benefits from VetStem Cell Therapy for these challenging conditions.
In his second lecture, Dr. Chapnick focused on the diverse applications of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in veterinary medicine. As a cell-based therapy, PRP has shown remarkable success in promoting healing in areas such as orthopedics, wound care, and corneal ulcers. Dr. Chapnick reviewed current literature, presented case studies, and assessed the safety and effectiveness of PRP. He also introduced VetStem’s latest innovation, PrecisePRP™, an off-the-shelf freeze-dried PRP solution. In last week’s blog, we covered some outcome data for PrecisePRP Canine. You can check it out here.
If you missed us in Atlantic City, be sure to catch us at Fetch Long Beach in December or Western Veterinary Conference in March 2025!
This week, we are sponsoring, speaking, and exhibiting at the annual Fetch DVM360 Veterinary Conference in Kansas City, MO. This is our second time sponsoring this show in recent years. Veterinary conferences are a great way for us to get in front of our colleagues in the field to educate and further develop those relationships.
This year, Dr. Bob Harman will deliver two lectures at the conference. The first is about the many uses of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in veterinary medicine. PRP is a cell-based therapy that has been used in veterinary medicine for healing in orthopedics, wounds, corneal ulcers, and more. Dr. Harman will examine the literature and present a few case studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PRP. He will also do a deep dive into our latest product, an off-the-shelf freeze-dried PRP, PrecisePRP™.
His second talk will delve into the world of stem cell therapy. Most of us know that stem cells are primarily used in orthopedics for things such as osteoarthritis and injured tendons/ligaments. But in recent years, stem cells have shown great promise in treating some complicated diseases such as kidney failure, inflammatory bowel disease, and gingivostomatitis. Numerous patients have benefited from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy for these conditions.
If you happen to be at the show, come visit the VetStem team at booth #1200!