Since I started Vet-Stem in 2003, over 3,000 horses have been treated. A lot of those horses may have had to find other careers if it were not for their stem cell treatments. One horse that was able to continue his racing career is Greg’s Gold.

And the dogs, well it has been so rewarding to bring back the puppy!! Now, over 2,000 dogs have been treated. Dogs with joint disease, dogs with tendon injuries, dogs in pain.

Hip dysplasia is a terrible disease and it meant that the poor dog was condemned to a life of pain. Now there is a new way to treat these dogs with arthritis related to hip dysplasia, elbow dyplasia and other conformational diseases.

What is bringing about this change? Well stem cell use is now being taught at veterinary continuing education meetings. This past July, the American Veterinary Medical Association meeting in Seattle hosted a full day of stem cells talks to bring veterinarians up to date on stem cells. Vet-Stem provided the credentialing course for all veterinarians interested in adding this regenerative science to their practice. In the afternoon, leading surgeons shared their stories and practice techniques with other veterinarians. If you want your veterinarian to learn more about stem cells, you can download this letter and take it your veterinarian for discussion. If your veterinarian is already credentialed, take this checklist with you to fully discuss the possibility of stem cell therapy for your dog.

Dr. Marquis and Yeoman

Veterinarian Spotlight: Dr. Marquis and Yeoman

Dr. Bob Marquis of Tiara Rado Animal Hospital is using cutting-edge medicine to treat arthritis and other joint problems in large breed dogs. In the past year, he has treated nearly 20 dogs using intra-articular injection of their own adult stem cells. “We are just beginning to scratch the surface of what stem cells can do and it’s really exciting,” Marquis said. “Our work has all been very positive for these animals with no negative effects so far,” Marquis said.

Marquis hopes that some day stem cells will become widely used in veterinarian medicine. He stays well educated on new medical procedures, explaining that already researchers are finding new ways to treat kidney and liver disease using stem cells. It could become a valuable tool for doctors to treat disease in animals.

Read the full story to learn more about fat derived stem cells to treat arthritis in dogs, and their potential to treat other diseases.

Owner Spotlight: Kim & Ezri Galusha

I want to share with you the story of a dog and his owner who compete in agility. Dogs that compete in sports may have different types of injuries than our companions, so if you compete in a sport there may be different symptoms such as limping or unwillingness to perform the activity.

Kim Galusha and her 10-year-old Border Collie, Ezri, were an agility team to be reckoned with. Read the rest of this entry »

Is your dog showing signs of arthritis? Does your dog have difficulty getting up, low activity level, can’t get in and out of the car and is no longer the fun loving dog you remember- more like the grumpy old man? Many pet owners think this is just a part of getting old. However, it is amazing what pet owners tell us after their pet has been treated with their own stem cells. “Like a puppy again!” “More energy”. One of the most rewarding experiences we have at Vet-Stem is to receive information like this!

Stem cell therapy works best if your dog is injected in the specific limb joints (hips, elbows etc.) that are the problem. In order to find out which joints are the problem, your veterinarian will need to do a thorough exam. At this exam, your veterinarian will also check any growths to be sure they are not cancerous. Read the rest of this entry »

Amazing how veterinary medicine is evolving. As little as two years ago, stem cells were a far off abstract idea to most dog and cat veterinarians. Many probably thought stem cell therapy would first be used for humans and then the animals would get the spin off from the new treatment option. Read the rest of this entry »