In my second post on the UC Davis Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Meeting, I covered the presentations by Dr. Caplan and Bill Casner. UC Davis also presented data on the use of stem cells in horse deep flexor tendon injury (leads eventually to arthritis). Dr. Larry Galuppo reported that 47 horses were treated (45% were severe injuries). 65% of these horses treated with stem cells recovered to return to work.
Stem cells have been and will continue to be a hot news topic. They are praised, cursed, debated and researched. So what do we know about how they actually work?
First, these little cells we call “stem cells” can be found anywhere in the body. You are alive right now because your own stem cells replace the hundreds of millions of cells you lose every day as a part of normal living. They are your “spare parts” and are essential. If your dog has arthritis, stem cells help replace the lost cartilage caused by the disease. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s been eight months since I started blogging – more that 60 posts about arthritis in dogs and the causes, treatments, and prevention. Topics like diet, exercise, and stem cell therapy. We have also shared our pain and talked about how to tell if your pet has arthritis.
Great stories of dogs and their owners and veterinarians have been posted. We have linked you to other experts and analysis of the latest research data and reports. I hope you have gained a better understanding of arthritis and how to prevent or treat it in your own animals. Read the rest of this entry »
In my March 12 post on the UC Davis Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Meeting, I covered the general topics presented at the meeting. Today I want to go a little more in depth on the results of stem cell treatment of arthritis that were presented at the meeting. First, the keynote speech by Dr. Arnold Caplan of Case Western Reserve University was the highlight of the meeting. Dr. Caplan described how stem cells really work (I will cover in a blog specifically on this topic very soon). Read the rest of this entry »
Am I too old for stem cells for my arthritis?
Recently there was a segment on 60 Minutes entitled “21st Century Snake Oil” that profiled the use of stem cells in humans for conditions that were over represented, over promised and understudied. The segment showed how people suffering from ALS were taken advantage of because they were so desperate for a cure. Unfortunately, it is companies and clinics like these that inhibit the progress of stem cell medicine.
Vet-Stem Lab
As one of the first veterinary stem cell companies in the world, Vet-Stem sets the standard for other veterinary stem cell companies. The reason why Vet-Stem has a mandatory training class for veterinarians who want to use stem cells for dogs with arthritis is to teach them the science behind regenerative medicine. Read the rest of this entry »
One of the most common injuries a dog can get is a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The tearing of the ligament happens in healthy athletic dogs as well as overweight dogs when they are running and suddenly change direction. The ACL and the posterior cruciate ligament are two ligaments that cross each other as one travels from the front to the back of the knee joint, and the other travels from the back to the front. What does the ACL do? This ligament is a fibrous band of tissue that attaches your dog’s femur with their tibia, making the knee joint a hinge.
Over a decade has passed since the discovery of stem cells in fat tissue. Dr. Pat Zuk at UCLA has just published an incredible review article on the history and current status of the adipose stem cell. This review covers the discover and the rise of the adipose stem cell to be one of the “most popular adult stem cells currently being explored today” according to Dr. Zuk. There is an excellent review table that shows the many, many articles on the research activity around the adipose stem cell, but more importantly, also shows the many current and past human clinical trials in real diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis. This quote says it all: “Looking back, the isolation of the ASC (adipose stem cell) seemed to preface a decade that could easily be named the “decade of the adult stem cell.” I have emailed Dr. Zuk copies of the Vet-Stem published clinical trials with hopes she will include them in future publications since our data shows the striking clinical benefit in dogs and horses with arthritis and improvement in their quality of life. Please check out the related blog post on the Vet-Stem Dog Arthritis clinical trial. Also you can download the actual paper on the clinical trial at Vet-Stem.com.
Ted Robinsob and Stylish - treated with stem cells for arthritis
Arthritis is a painful, debilitating joint disease that can develop in any animal. It can be the result of a traumatic injury to the joint or can develop so slowly that many pet and horse owners may not even recognize the progression of the disease. While this blog is focused mainly on arthritis in dogs, I thought that I would spend a little time discussing arthritis in horses. According to the AVMA 2007 pet ownership and demographic study, there are about 7.3 million horses in the US. It is estimated that 60% of the lameness issues in horses are due to arthritis, which extrapolated out is about 4 million horses!
Read the rest of this entry »
Gogo
In previous blogs I introduced you to Gogo, a male German Shepherd who was recently retired from the bomb squad. Gogo’s job was to keep the airport safe from terrorist threats. The sad thing is that Gogo loved his job and would still be out there working hard if his arthritis in his hips and elbows hadn’t been so painful. Despite trying all the latest in pain killers, Gogo just could not tolerate the
medications. His handler had heard about stem cells and there happened to be a very experienced veterinary surgeon that used stem cells on many of his patients just down the street. Dr Gassell examined Gogo and felt that the stem cells might reduce the pain and inflammation that the arthritis in Gogo’s hips and elbows was causing. This first video shows Gogo before his stem cell treatment. Note the difference in Gogo’s attitude, energy level and how he moves 3 weeks after stem cell treatment in the hips and elbows for arthritis.
We asked three of the top pet insurance companies in the United States to tell us in their own words if their company would cover a stem cell procedure for a dog or cat. Here are their answers.
“At Fetch, we’re proud to offer the most comprehensive pet insurance coverage for all medical conditions, including congenital and hereditary diseases. To us, this means that pets should get the best and most appropriate treatment as recommended by their veterinary team.”
When veterinarians started recommending Vet-Stem therapy to our policyholders, as an insurance company, we were excited to be able to offer coverage for a new treatment modality for serious orthopedic conditions. Now, having seen the success stories, I’m even more excited to be able to offer it to my own patients!” (fetchpet.com)
– Dr. Jules Benson, BVSc MRCVS, VP Veterinary Services
Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell therapy is eligible for coverage in pets with a VPI® Pet Insurance policy providing that the condition being treated is eligible for coverage under the terms of the policy. The reimbursement amount will vary based on the plan coverage provided for your pet’s condition. (www.petinsurance.com)
– Dr. Carol McConnell
Chief Veterinary Medical Officer/Vice President Underwriting and Veterinary Services
PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance takes great pride in the fact that our policies cover the cost of stem cell therapy for treatment of eligible conditions. Our web site (www.purinacare.com) has more specific details about coverage and exclusions.
“As a veterinarian, I am always pleased to see that PurinaCare’s policies cover the latest in medical advances. Our goal is for veterinarians and their clients to have the freedom to choose the best treatment for their pets!”
– Dr. Bill Craig, Chief Medical & Underwriting Director, PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance
We thank these three insurance companies for their answers and willingness to discuss coverage. It is important that you review any insurance policy for coverage and exclusions. We will continue to work with the industry to try to secure the best coverage for stem cell therapy for all your pets!
