Here is a recent email from a dog owner.  Simply put, this is why we do what we do.

“Here’s a picture of Yogi at the beach.  He’s in great shape, 2 years after the stem cell treatment.  We joke that he goes around singing “I feel good” in a James Brown voice.

Yogi was infected with 3 tick born diseases including Lyme’s about 2 and ½ years ago.  The Lyme’s, together with significant hip dysplasia, proved a terrible combination. He got so bad (even after weeks of antibiotics that cleared up the Lyme’s) that in the evenings he stiffened up so much he could barely get up from a lying or sitting position.   Some days he was in so much pain he didn’t want to go for the daily park outings with the other household dogs and would just sit forlornly on the deck.

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When arthritis affects the abilities of our companion dogs, we can tailor their activities to their limited stamina and mobility. When a canine member of the police force can no longer perform his duties comfortably, retirement becomes an inevitability. Such was the fate that awaited Dasty, a canine officer for the Chicago Police Department, whose arthritis pain was not reliably controlled by physical therapy or medications. According to Dr. Cheryl Adams at Arboretum View Animal Hospital in Downers Grove Illinois, who performed Vet-Stem Cell Therapy on the German Shepherd in early 2010, “Traditional treatments were just not working for him.” At Dr. Adam’s suggestion, Dasty underwent Vet-Stem Cell Therapy in early 2010; now he and his human partner can look forward to several more years of service to their city without being slowed by pain from arthritis. Read the full story here.

In an article in DVM Newsmagazine September 1, 2010, Dr. Sherman O. Canapp, DVM, MS, CCRT, Dipl. ACVS describes three options for optimal care and comfort for dogs with elbow arthritis.  Dr. Canapp is a nationally-recognized veterinary surgeon with a specialty practice in the Baltimore area that specializes in sports medicine for dogs.  He has presented the last two years at the American Veterinary Medical Association annual meetings on his use of stem cell therapy in the elbow and stifle for repair of serious sports injuries.

This particular article is the third in a three-part series covering the treatment of elbow disease in dogs, where Dr. Canapp reviews intra-articular medical treatment options for dogs.  Treatment with adipose derived stem cells is featured prominently in the article and in the associated table (see below) showing sustained duration of effect.  Read the entire article for more information.

As someone who has seen his own dogs age and lose their vitality as arthritis sets in, I know just how it feels to wistfully recall the puppy days, when walks could never be too long, couches were never too high, and stairs were never a challenge. We’re even able to forget all the potty accidents in the house and all the things that were chewed beyond salvation, longing to have that energetic, pain-free soul back. Here’s a story about hope fulfilled. Read the rest of this entry »

The story I share with you today would be considered remarkable at any time, but given the current troubled state of the economy, it could be considered downright miraculous.

It seems that a pet owner whose own dog had previously been injected with its own Vet-Stem processed stem cells at Boone Animal Hospital in Western Springs, Illinois was sitting in the clinic’s waiting room and overheard another owner lamenting that because she could not afford a necessary surgical procedure (not Vet-Stem Cell Therapy), she would have to have her dog euthanized. Read the rest of this entry »

We tend to think of larger breeds such as Labradors and Shepherds when talking about hip dysplasia, but smaller dogs can be afflicted with the joint abnormality as well. And although the defect is present at birth, some dogs go undiagnosed for many years because they don’t outwardly appear to have a problem; it’s only as they get older and have difficulty rising or getting around that owners seek treatment. The pain that Raina, a nine year old Cocker Spaniel with hip dysplasia, was suffering from had progressed to the point that her owner had to carry her outside on her bed so she could relieve herself. Read the rest of this entry »

The use of stem cells in veterinary medicine is spreading rapidly as evidenced by the training offered at the Annual Meeting of the American Veterinary Medical Association last month in Atlanta.  Vet-Stem alone has now trained over 4,000 veterinarians in regenerative medicine techniques.  There are now trained vets in almost every community in the US!  This last weekend, Dr. Matt Barnhart, an experienced veterinary surgeon (Med Vet Ohio), and I co-taught an entire day training session (course outline) at The Ohio State University on stem cell medicine. Veterinarians from all over the US attended to receive this advanced training and received their certifications.  We were invited by the College of Veterinary Medicine at OSU to come on campus and offer this course as part of their continuing education program.  Several students and residents also participated. Read the rest of this entry »

Last month I shared the story of Ruggles, the Deutsch Drahthaar whose arthritis had kept her from accompanying her owner on the hunting trips she loved. Rather than relying on lifelong medications for pain relief, her owner opted for Vet-Stem Cell Therapy with Dr. Jim Mathias at Tipp City Veterinary Hospital and Wellness Center in Ohio. Now Ruggles’ return to full performance, as both a hunting companion and a family member, is featured on People Magazine’s peoplepets.com.

I haven’t heard every story and I haven’t met every dog, but life experience as a vet and a dog lover has shown me some basic truths that are sometimes hard to swallow.  Like how our four-legged friends don’t live as long as we do.  As a matter of fact, they typically accompany us on this earth only a fraction of our lives, yet their impact is immeasurable and even hard to explain.  They love unconditionally.  When we need a friendly ear they listen with doe eyes.  They are always waiting for us right by the door when they hear the car pull up in the driveway.  They even sense when we are blue and give us some extra slobbery kisses to make us feel better.  Dogs are truly man’s (and woman’s) best friend. Read the rest of this entry »

Monday was the conclusion of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.  The stem cell lectures were nothing short of spectacular.  In a fast moving field, it is important for practicing veterinarians to keep abreast of the latest techniques and tools for treating their patients.  Saturday was highlighted by Dr. Jan Nolta from UC Davis Medical School Institute for Medical Cures. Read the rest of this entry »