If you’re a dog owner, chances are you’ve heard the term “hip dysplasia.” According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, “Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a condition that begins in dogs as they grow and results in instability or a loose fit (laxity) of the hip joint.” Essentially, the ball of the hip joint doesn’t fit properly into the socket, causing abnormal movement, which results in cartilage degeneration, scar tissue formation, and bone spurs around the joint. As you can imagine, this is a painful condition that ultimately leads to osteoarthritis.

In many cases, surgery is the recommended treatment for hip dysplasia, but this option comes with its own challenges. Surgery can be invasive, expensive, and unfortunately, many dogs still develop scar tissue and arthritis over time. Another potential treatment option is stem cell therapy. While stem cell therapy won’t cure hip dysplasia, stem cells can help to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Stem cells also have the unique ability to differentiate into numerous tissue types, potentially aiding in the regeneration of damaged cartilage. These combined effects can lead to increased mobility and an improved quality of life for dogs with hip dysplasia and arthritis.

Given the prevalence of hip dysplasia and arthritis in dogs, numerous veterinarians have successfully treated thousands of dogs with these conditions using VetStem Cell Therapy. And many have seen great results! One example is Artemis, a Bernese Mountain Dog, with bilateral hip dysplasia. Fortunately for Artemis, her owner sought treatment early and her veterinarian recommended VetStem Cell Therapy.

After receiving stem cell therapy, Artemis’ owner shared, “I can see improvement as she stands from lying down, as well as after extended play or walks. My hope is with continued stem cell treatments she will stay comfortable longer.” You can read Artemis’ VetStem success story here.

VetStem’s ability to cryopreserve and store stem cells from each patient is particularly valuable for patients like Artemis who will never have perfect hips. With additional cells in her cryobank, Artemis can receive a lifetime of future treatments using her own stem cells without the need for additional fat collection procedures.

If your dog is struggling with hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis, stem cell therapy may offer a promising path toward relief. In fact, surveys from both dog owners and veterinarians show that over 80% of dogs experienced an improved quality of life following treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy for osteoarthritis. Additionally, a peer-reviewed study of dogs with chronic osteoarthritis of the hip found that treatment with stem cells reduced pain and lameness.

Contact us today to find a VetStem provider near you.

Biscuit, an Australian Cattle Dog mix, was struggling due to pain in both of her back legs. Diagnosed with a cruciate ligament tear in her right knee and arthritis in both hips, Biscuit’s owner was looking for a solution to help her dog live a better quality of life. After consulting with Dr. Kim Carlson, a board-certified surgeon and owner of Lenity Vet Specialists, it was decided that surgery would help to stabilize Biscuit’s knee, and VetStem Cell Therapy would be incorporated into her treatment plan to support her overall healing and pain management.

Dr. Carlson, who has been utilizing VetStem Cell Therapy for over 15 years, began the process by collecting a sample of Biscuit’s fat tissue during knee surgery. The fat was sent to the VetStem laboratory where stem cells were extracted and concentrated. Within 48 hours, Biscuit received multiple stem cell injections into her knee, both hips, and intravenously. Her extra stem cells were cryopreserved for potential future use.

Since her initial treatment, Biscuit has received annual follow-up injections from her stem cell bank to help manage her arthritis. The results have been nothing short of remarkable. Biscuit’s owner reported that within just a week of her last injection, “she was running up stairs and acting years younger.”

Osteoarthritis is a common condition that impacts dogs’ quality of life, but VetStem Cell Therapy can be an effective option for improving mobility and reducing pain. VetStem Cell Therapy leverages the body’s natural healing ability, helping to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and regenerate damaged tissue, offering significant benefits for dogs with conditions like osteoarthritis. In fact, more than 80% of dogs treated with VetStem for osteoarthritis showed a better quality of life, making it a promising solution for pets like Biscuit.

If you think your dog would benefit from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.

Biscuit

Today is National Boxer Day, so we’re celebrating with a heartwarming VetStem success story about a Boxer named Tucker. Tucker was a lively 4-year-old who, according to his owner, had explosive energy levels. He would run and play outside for 4 to 6 hours each day. His life took a turn when he followed a cat off a 12-foot embankment at a dead run, landing with a thud that caused his right rear leg to buckle.

At first, Tucker limped but could still move around, so his owners took him to the vet. He was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in his hips and knees and was put on anti-inflammatory medications. Over the next year, his condition only worsened, with his leg deteriorating to the point that he could no longer climb stairs or enjoy his beloved outdoor playtime.

As time passed, Tucker became less active, only wanting to go outside for short trips to relieve himself. His owners were worried that he wouldn’t be able to walk at all within the next 6 to 12 months. Thankfully, their veterinarian recommended treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy. At just over 5 years old, Tucker underwent the procedure.

The VetStem process involves a relatively simple and minimally invasive fat collection procedure. Once the fat is collected and sterilely packaged, it is shipped to the VetStem laboratory for processing. There, VetStem lab techs process the fat to extract the stem cells contained therein. Stem cell doses are shipped for treatment while any extra remaining cells are placed into cryopreservation for potential future use. Tucker received injections of his own stem cells into both hips and both knees as well as an intravenous injection.

Six months after the procedure, Tucker was back to his energetic self, running, jumping, and playing outside for hours just like he used to. It was a true transformation, and two years later, Tucker was still living life as a young, active Boxer. His owners are forever grateful to VetStem for giving him back his mobility and zest for life stating, “Thank you, VetStem, for saving his life!”

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

Tucker

National Border Collie Day is November 24^th so we thought it fitting to share a VetStem success story about a Border Collie named Hannah. Hannah had arthritis in her hips as a result of hip dysplasia. Her veterinarian described it as some of the worst she’d ever seen. As a certified therapy dog who visited patients that were in the hospital, it was important for Hannah to be able to stand on her hind legs so she could be pet by those patients who were unable to get out of bed. Unfortunately, her arthritic hips made it so she was unable to do this seemingly simple task.

In an effort to avoid hip replacement surgery, her veterinarian recommended trying VetStem Cell Therapy. To begin the process, Hannah’s veterinarian collected fat from her abdomen during a minimally invasive anesthetic procedure. The fat was sent to the VetStem laboratory where lab technicians processed and extracted Hannah’s stem and regenerative cells. Three stem cell injections were prepared and shipped for treatment. Approximately 48 hours after the initial fat collection, Hannah received injections of her own stem cells into each hip as well as an intravenous injection.

According to her owner, Hannah had a remarkable response to stem cell therapy. She was finally able to stand on her back legs so she could reach bed-ridden hospital patients. And at the one year mark, her X-rays showed great improvement in her hip joints. Her owners believed her to be pain free for the first time in her life, stating, “My husband and I (and Hannah) cannot tell you how much Hannah’s life has changed since her surgery. The results were better than we ever hoped for and are nothing short of amazing.”

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

Hannah

Meet Teddy, the adorable Chow Chow/Husky mix who loves to play but faced a tough battle with severe arthritis in his right hip. Getting up from a lying down had become a struggle, and his family was worried. Luckily, they turned to Dr. Mitch Luce at Live Oak Veterinary Hospital, who offered them a couple of treatment options: hip replacement surgery or VetStem Cell Therapy. Teddy’s owners opted for the stem cell therapy, hoping it would be a gentler route for their aging buddy.

To begin the process, Dr. Luce collected a small sample of fat from Teddy’s abdomen. The fat was then sent off to VetStem’s lab for processing. Just 48 hours later, Teddy received his first injection of his own stem cells directly into his hip, along with an IV dose.

Fast forward five months, and Teddy is thriving! His owner can’t believe the transformation: “Remarkable recovery!! He runs, jumps, and plays with our other dogs and can get up from a down position easily. He does every once in a while have a slight limp issue but only after playing or running way too hard. And that is progressively getting better as well. So glad we chose VetStem Cell Therapy for him!” The difference is so impressive that they even shared a before-and-after video to showcase Teddy’s amazing comeback. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXpmwHD37XE

Arthritis is a common issue for many dogs, and it can really impact their quality of life. But innovative treatments like VetStem Cell Therapy provide hope for your furry friend. Stem cells can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and help to regenerate damaged tissues. According to surveys, over 80% of dogs treated with VetStem report a better quality of life, so it’s no wonder Teddy’s family is over the moon with their decision. Here’s to many more happy, pain-free adventures for Teddy!

Teddy

Similar to humans, aging is a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs. While OA can occur in dogs of any age, one study conducted in the UK indicated that dogs over eight years old were most frequently diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Treating OA in the early stages can help to slow the progression of the disease. That being said, numerous senior pets with advanced OA have benefitted from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy.

One example is Jake, a senior Labrador retriever who was diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in his left elbow when he was just a puppy. OCD is a developmental disease in which the cartilage in the affected joint(s) separates from the bone. Though the exact cause of OCD is unknown, it typically occurs in rapidly growing large breed dogs and can cause limping, lameness, and pain.

Jake underwent a successful surgery to correct the problem however, as with most orthopedic surgeries, it was almost guaranteed that his elbow would eventually develop arthritis. At about eight years old, Jake began limping after physical activity. His symptoms were mild at first but grew in severity over the years and when he was thirteen, it became really hard for him to walk due to pain in his left elbow. On top of this, he developed spondylosis (osteoarthritis of the spine). These challenges severely affected his quality of life.

His veterinarian, Dr. Brad Steele of Torrey Pines Animal Hospital recommended treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy. Stem cells have demonstrated the ability to reduce pain and inflammation, help to restore range of motion, and stimulate regeneration of tendon, ligament, and joint tissues.

To begin the process, Dr. Steele collected fat from Jake’s abdomen during a minimally invasive anesthetic procedure. The fat was processed at the VetStem laboratory, and three injectable doses of Jake’s stem cells were sent to Dr. Steele for treatment. Jake received one dose of his own stem cells into each elbow and one intravenous dose. Approximately one month later, he received an identical treatment using stem cells that were cryobanked from his initial fat tissue process.

According to Jake’s owner, it took about 5 to 6 months until they noticed a significant improvement in his mobility and reduction in his limping. His owner stated, “Before the treatment, he could barely walk more than 10-20 feet before giving up and wanting to be carried back in. After the treatment, he got back to 20+ minute walks around the neighborhood and seems close to back to normal for a dog of his age. We are grateful that the stem cell treatment brought our sweet old dog out of a life of pain and back to being a happy old man.”

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

Jake

Happy National Dachshund Day! In this week’s VetStem blog, we’re sharing the stem cell success story about a Doxie named Floppy who was suffering from severe arthritis in his hips and knees. In a video his owner shared with us, Floppy showed extreme difficulty getting up from a down position and moved very slowly. His owner also stated that he limped and was very stiff.

Floppy was 8 years old when his veterinarian recommended treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy. To begin the process, his vet extracted fat from his abdomen during a minimally invasive anesthetic procedure. The fat was shipped to the VetStem laboratory where lab technicians extracted and concentrated Floppy’s stem and regenerative cells. Five stem cell injections were prepared and shipped to Floppy’s veterinarian for treatment. He received one injection into each hip, each knee, and an intravenous injection.

Floppy’s results were really remarkable. His owner stated, “We are extremely pleased with the results. The level of pain/stiffness decreased dramatically. It’s almost like he’s a puppy again! There is a night and day difference in his ability to move and perform everyday tasks.” His owner also sent a video of Floppy after the treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy and well…you just have to see it to believe it. Check out a short video detailing Floppy’s story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJRUBYyDtqw

If you have a dog who suffers from arthritis, VetStem Cell Therapy may help. Speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.

Last Friday was National Welsh Corgi Day and today is International Akita Day! We of course have to pay tribute by sharing a VetStem success story about an Akita named Yoshio!

Yoshio faced significant challenges due to bilateral hock dysplasia and osteoarthritis in his joints. By the age of 9.5, he struggled to perform basic activities, like jumping on the bed, and could not stand comfortably. His condition caused discomfort and limited his mobility, leading to lower back spasms and difficulty walking. Determined to alleviate Yoshio’s suffering, his owner followed an extensive physical therapy regimen, including underwater treadmill exercises and cold laser therapy. Despite these efforts and weight loss to ease joint stress, Yoshio found only minimal relief after four months.

In pursuit of a more effective solution, Yoshio’s owner turned to VetStem Cell Therapy. Under the care of veterinary surgeon and longtime VetStem user, Dr. Kim Carlson, Yoshio underwent a minimally invasive procedure to collect fat tissue from his abdomen. The fat was processed at the VetStem lab to extract Yoshio’s stem and regenerative cells. Within 48 hours of the initial fat collection, Yoshio received stem cell injections into both hocks and his right carpus, along with an IV injection.

Yoshio’s owner noticed a significant improvement in his condition within just one week of the procedure. With renewed strength and mobility, Yoshio could run, jump onto beds, and stand comfortably following treatment with stem cells.

Yoshio

Arthritis is one of the most common ailments that affects dogs today. While all dogs can develop arthritis, large breed dogs like Akitas are at a higher risk due to the increased wear and tear on their joints. If you think your dog may benefit from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of providers near you.

Today is National Welsh Corgi Day! As a tribute to Corgis everywhere, we wanted to share a special VetStem success story about an agility Corgi named Kirby.

Kirby is a fun-loving Pembroke Welsh Corgi who began competing in agility at just one and a half years old. His path, however, was not without hurdles. At around four years old, Kirby began to experience intermittent lameness in his hips and left knee, threatening to derail his agility career. His veterinarian employed a range of treatments, from cold laser therapy to underwater treadmill sessions and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While these interventions offered temporary relief, Kirby’s lameness persisted, prompting his mom to explore alternative solutions.

Determined to find a lasting solution, Kirby’s mom elected to have him treated with VetStem Cell Therapy. To begin the process, Kirby underwent a minimally invasive procedure to harvest fat tissue from his abdomen. Kirby’s fat was processed at the VetStem laboratory to extract and concentrate his stem and regenerative cells. Five injectable stem cell doses were shipped to his veterinarian and approximately 48 hours after the initial fat collection procedure, Kirby received injections of his own stem cells into his hips and knees, as well as an intravenous injection.

The results were remarkable. Within a mere two months, Kirby showed significant improvement, and was able to return to agility competition with an 80% qualifying rate. He was also able to enjoy long hikes with his mom each week. His owner stated, “I’m so grateful to VetStem for their help and that they have his cells in storage so we can give him more injections in the future if needed!!”

Kirby

Like Kirby, many dogs suffer from pain associated with osteoarthritis, which can greatly affect their quality of life. According to surveys answered by owners and veterinarians, greater than 80% of dogs showed an improved quality of life after receiving VetStem Cell Therapy for orthopedic conditions. Do you think your dog may benefit from treatment with stem cells? Speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of providers near you.

The first week of October is National Walk Your Dog Week and we’ll take every opportunity to share the benefits of walking! According to the website, “Walk Your Dog Week aims to improve the health and wellbeing of America’s dogs.” Walking has many benefits for our canine friends such as providing mental stimulation and an outlet for their energy. Perhaps more importantly, walking can benefit a dog’s joint health as well.

If you follow our blog, you’re probably familiar with the statistic that approximately 1 out of every 5 dogs is diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) in their lifetime. Thus, it’s important that we take care of our dogs’ joints from an early age. While there are several ways to support a dog’s joints, studies have found that regular, low-impact exercise, such as walking, can support joint health in dogs with and without OA.

There are several ways in which walking benefits a dog’s joints. One benefit of walking is weight loss or maintaining an ideal weight. Like with people, regular physical exercise can contribute to reaching or maintaining a healthy weight. When dog’s are at an ideal weight, there is less stress on their joints and therefore less wear and tear.

Additionally, walking can help to strengthen the muscles and supporting soft tissue structures around the joints to promote increased joint stability. This kind of movement can also improve joint fluid circulation, which is beneficial to maintaining healthy joint cartilage. With all of these benefits combined, walking has shown to delay the onset and/or reduce the symptoms of OA in dogs.

Of course walking is not a foolproof method to stopping or curing OA altogether. Your veterinarian can offer advice in terms of supplements and other ways to support your dog’s joint health. Additionally, VetStem Cell Therapy has shown to reduce pain and lameness associated with arthritis in dogs, thereby leading to a better quality of life.

If you think your pet may benefit from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, speak to your veterinarian or contact us for a list of VetStem providers in your area. And in the meantime, how about going for a walk to celebrate National Walk Your Dog Week!