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.

Next week is Take Your Pet to Work Week! And as most of you know, VetStem is no stranger to having our furry, four-legged companions in the office. But beyond the sheer cuteness overload, there are additional benefits to bringing your pet to work that you might not have considered.

First off, let’s talk about stress relief. We all know work can get a bit overwhelming at times, but having your pet by your side can work wonders for keeping those stress levels in check. Just a quick scratch behind the ears or a cuddle session during a coffee break can help to boost your mood. Plus, having a furry coworker can instantly lift spirits and provide some fun during the workday.

Bringing your pet to work isn’t just good for your mental health, it can also boost productivity and improve office morale. One study found that 90 percent of employees in pet friendly workplaces feel highly connected to their company’s mission, fully engaged with their work, and willing to recommend their employer to others. Additionally, more than three times as many employees at pet friendly workplaces report a positive working relationship with their boss and co-workers and are more likely to stay with a company long term. And let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to work in an office where adorable animals roam the halls?

Check out some interesting studies about pets in the workplace here. And be sure to grab the leash, pack some treats, and get ready to celebrate Take Your Pet to Work Week! Your furry friend will thank you, and your coworkers will too.

As June is National Zoo and Aquarium Month, we thought it fitting to discuss the work VetStem has done with exotic animal organizations across the United States. As most of you know, VetStem Cell Therapy is primarily used in dogs and horses to treat orthopedic conditions. We also do a lot of work with cats to treat alternative conditions such as chronic kidney disease and gingivostomatitis. But did you know VetStem Cell Therapy has also helped to improve the lives of several exotic species?

VetStem has worked with numerous zoos, aquariums, and exotic animal refuges to provide stem cell therapy for multiple species. One of our biggest exotic programs has been with elephants who are infected with a virus known as Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV). EEHV is a lethal viral infection that can cause a highly fatal hemorrhagic disease. Stem cells have numerous mechanisms of action, including the secretion of molecules that are anti-viral. VetStem has provided stem cell doses to several zoos in the United States who had elephants with EEHV and has gathered some promising data. While there is still research to be done, we are optimistic that stem cell therapy may be a viable treatment option for elephants with EEHV.

We have also seen success using stem cells in a couple of bears. Francis is a sun bear from the San Diego Zoo that received VetStem Cell Therapy for arthritis in several joints. According to his keepers, Francis’ symptoms improved and he was climbing more after receiving stem cell therapy. Brody, a black bear in Florida, was a juvenile when he received VetStem Cell Therapy in conjunction with surgery for a condition that is similar to hip dysplasia in dogs. Dr. Jeff Christiansen, a board-certified veterinary surgeon and longtime VetStem proponent, performed his surgery and stem cell therapy. Check out a video of Brody from the Brevard Zoo to get more details about his story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGu4siQNNnU

VetStem has also been used in numerous aquatic species. We have provided cell therapy services for dolphins, whales, penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, and more. Aquatic animals have received stem cells for various conditions including arthritis, corneal conditions, and acute injuries such as this sea turtle who was injured by a propeller.

These are just a few examples of the many exotic species that have received VetStem Cell Therapy. We have provided stem cell services for over 60 species! As leaders in the field of regenerative veterinary medicine, we take our job very seriously when it comes to the research and development of innovative regenerative medicine treatments for animals and diseases that have minimal treatment options. Maintaining the health and well-being of endangered exotic animals is particularly crucial and has become a community effort, bringing together veterinarians, scientists, and those in the animal health field across the globe. We are happy to contribute to the mission and will continue our own research to develop potentially life-saving stem cell treatments for these animals.

Recently, the VetStem sales and marketing team attended two veterinary shows. One team was in Lexington, KY at the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP) Proximal Forelimb and Neck Connection module while the other team was in Nashville, TN at the Fetch Nashville conference. At both shows, we were excited to announce that our platelet-rich plasma (PRP) products, PrecisePRP™ Canine and PrecisePRP™ Equine, have completed FDA review.

PrecisePRP™ is intended to provide a species-specific source of concentrated platelets in plasma for intra-articular administration and is unlike any PRP mechanical kit currently on the market. PrecisePRP™ is a freeze-dried, donor-derived (allogeneic) platelet-rich plasma product. Unlike mechanical PRP kits, PrecisePRP™ does not require a blood draw or centrifugation, nor refrigeration, making it a truly off-the-shelf product that is easy and convenient.

Perhaps more important is the uniformity and consistency that PrecisePRP™ provides with its unique patent pending manufacturing process. Each vial of PrecisePRP™ contains a consistent dose of 4 billion platelets per vial at a concentration of 500,000 platelets per microliter and is leucoreduced with less than 1500 white blood cells per microliter. Additionally, each lot is quality tested before release.

According to the FDA, PrecisePRP™ Canine and PrecisePRP™ Equine are the only FDA-reviewed PRP products for dogs and horses available to veterinarians. Both products underwent thorough evaluations by the Center for Veterinary Medicine that resulted in formal risk reviews. According to the FDA, “the developer of PrecisePRP properly identified and appropriately mitigated the potential risks associated with the product, and the FDA has no additional safety concerns.”

Understandably, veterinarians are very excited about these new products. PrecisePRP™ is not only easy, it’s also consistent, allowing veterinarians to know that the PRP they are injecting has been quality tested for sterility, platelet count, and potency. In providing a more consistent product and what is believed to be a therapeutic dose of PRP, the goal is to achieve more favorable outcomes. To learn more about PrecisePRP™, visit our website.

Platelet-rich plasma has been used in veterinary medicine for over 20 years. It is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal diseases and injuries such as osteoarthritis and injured tendons and ligaments. It has also been used topically for wounds and corneal ulcers as well as several other indications. The principle of PRP therapy is to accelerate lagging internal healing processes by amplifying the biological signals that would naturally occur when platelets aggregate at a site of injury. By concentrating platelets and releasing more of those growth factors than would naturally occur, the intended effect is to attract stem cells and other healing cells to stimulate local tissue repair processes.

Today is German Shepherd day so we thought we’d share a special VetStem success story about a bomb sniffing German Shepherd named Jax. Like many large dog breeds, German Shepherds are predisposed to hip dysplasia and arthritis. And unfortunately, Jax was diagnosed with the condition at a young age.

Hip dysplasia is a deformity in the ball and socket joint of the hip that eventually leads to osteoarthritis. It is a painful condition that can greatly reduce a dog’s quality of life. And of course, it affected Jax’s ability to perform on the job.

Jax’s veterinarian, Dr. Jeff Christiansen of Superior Veterinary Surgical Solutions, recommended treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy. Dr. Christiansen has been utilizing VetStem Cell Therapy for over a decade and has previously provided stem cells for working police dogs. To begin the process, fat was collected from Jax’s abdomen in a minimally invasive anesthetic procedure. The fat was processed at the VetStem processing laboratory to extract and concentrate the cells contained therein. Three injectable doses of Jax’s own stem cells were shipped to Dr. Christiansen for treatment. Jax received one injection into each hip and one intravenous dose.

According to his owner and handler, Jax responded well to the treatment. He stated, “Jax is a year and a half and, well, to say he’s a fantastic pup is an understatement. His limping is gone and he’s a typical GSD.” Jax has been maintained on a yearly intravenous injection of his stored stem cells for the past couple of years. Last we heard, Jax is rocking the bomb work! Way to go, Jax!

Jax

Many animals have received VetStem Cell Therapy without, or sometimes instead of, surgery. There are numerous cases where stem cells can help the body to heal naturally without having to undergo an invasive surgery. That being said, there are times when surgery is absolutely necessary. In these cases, VetStem Cell Therapy is great to use in conjunction with surgery to help improve and expedite healing.

Raven, an Italian Greyhound, was just a puppy when she got her front leg caught in a fence, resulting in a broken radius and ulna. The break required extensive reparative surgery, which included a steel plate and eight screws to anatomically reduce the bones and to prevent shortening and angular and/or rotational deformity. Fortunately, Raven was in the very skilled hands of veterinary surgeon and VetStem proponent, Dr. Jeff Christiansen of Superior Veterinary Surgical Solutions.

We wrote about Dr. Christiansen in a few weeks ago. He is one of VetStem’s most prolific users and has provided this service to over 300 patients. While Raven was anesthetized for her leg repair, Dr. Christiansen collected fat for stem cell therapy. The fat was shipped to the VetStem laboratory where technicians processed it to extract and concentrate the stem and regenerative cells contained therein. Two injectable doses of Raven’s stem cells were prepared and shipped to Dr. Christiansen for treatment and the remaining cells were put into cryostorage for potential future use. Raven received one injection into the fracture repair site and one intravenous injection.

Stem cells have multiple mechanisms of action that can be beneficial when recovering from a major surgery. Stem cells have shown the ability to directly modulate acute pain, down regulate inflammation, and also to reduce the formation of scar tissue. Taken together, stem cells may improve and expedite healing when used in conjunction with surgery.

Since recovery, Raven’s owners stated that you would never know she had a broken leg and that she has “full on Italian Greyhound zoomies with no limp or complaint of pain.” Her owner also stated, “Raven just turned 2 years old and to date has no evidence of pain or difficulty moving around. Between the stem cells and Dr. Christiansen she is as good as new. The VetStem Therapy was highly recommended by the surgeon and for my peace of mind, well worth the money. We now have VetStem keep the stem cells in the event we would ever need them again.”

Raven’s surgically repaired leg

Raven healed after surgery and VetStem Cell Therapy

The VetStem sales and marketing team just returned from the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) Pain Management Forum in Indianapolis, IN. For the past few years, VetStem has sponsored a lab at the forum. This year, we sponsored a lab focusing on local blocks and joint injections. It was taught by several instructors including VetStem proponents and pain specialists Dr. Douglas Stramel and Dr. Jamie Gaynor.

Founded in 2001 by a group of veterinarians, the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management unites veterinary professionals across all disciplines from around the world to advocate for best practices in the treatment of pain in animals. The organization is committed to encouraging pain management for all animal species through education and advocacy. They also encourage various veterinary organizations to raise public awareness about pain and pain management as it pertains to veterinary patients.

IVAPM is the leading forum and educational resource for veterinary professionals and pet owners interested in animal pain prevention, management, and treatment. One of the primary goals of IVAPM is to educate the veterinary community to recognize and treat pain in all species of animals. In addition to offering continuing education, they also provide the only interdisciplinary pain management certification program for veterinary professionals.

The Pain Management Forum brings together hundreds of veterinary professionals all advocating for the best practices in the treatment of animals in pain. This year marked the third annual Pain Management Forum. We enjoy attending and supporting the IVAPM Pain Management Forum and look forward to supporting their cause in the coming years!

We are happy to announce that another small animal veterinarian has surpassed 300 VetStem Cell Therapy cases! Dr. Jeff Christiansen of Superior Veterinary Surgical Solutions is a board-certified veterinary surgeon based in Florida. He has been providing VetStem services to his patients since 2012. He is one of just two small animal veterinarians who have provided VetStem services to over 300 patients.

Dr. Jeff Christiansen

Dr. Christiansen integrates regenerative medicine seamlessly into his surgical practice by using it both in conjunction with and in lieu of surgery, depending on the type and severity of injury. While Dr. Christiansen frequently addresses common ailments such as osteoarthritis and cruciate ligament tears, his stem cell expertise extends to a diverse range of injuries and diseases including patella luxation, fractures, spinal conditions, kidney disease, and more. Additionally, Dr. Christiansen has utilized VetStem services for exotic species. In collaboration with a local zoo, he delivered VetStem Cell Therapy to alleviate arthritis in a black bear.

Dr. Christiansen is also an avid user of VetStem’s platelet-rich plasma (PRP) products. While he primarily utilizes PRP for small animal orthopedics and wound healing, Dr. Christiansen has also used PRP to treat various unconventional cases. From treating a fractured limb in a kangaroo to expediting healing after tumor removal in an ostrich, his extensive experience spans a multitude of species and ailments.

We have shared the stem cell success stories of several of Dr. Christiansen’s patients including Max, a trained companion for a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and purple heart recipient, who received VetStem Cell Therapy for torn cruciate ligaments. Another one of Dr. Christiansen’s patients, an explosive detection K9, was able to get back to work after receiving VetStem Cell Therapy for hip dysplasia and arthritis. Dr. Christiansen’s dedication to integrating regenerative medicine into his surgical practice has not only transformed the lives of hundreds of furry patients but also underscored the vast potential of VetStem Cell Therapy across a spectrum of species and conditions.

On last week’s VetStem blog, we shared what happens to your pet’s fat after it is collected for stem cell therapy. This week, we’ll go into some detail about what to expect after your pet receives their stem cell injections.

The standard VetStem process takes place in approximately 48 hours. On day 1, your veterinarian collects fat from your pet. On day 2, the fat is processed at the VetStem laboratory to extract and concentrate your pet’s stem cells. And on day 3, your pet receives their stem cell injections. But what happens after they are injected? Well, each veterinarian has different protocols. For instance, some pets may stay overnight for monitoring, while other pets may go home the same day. After that, your vet may recommend various rehabilitation exercises at home or back at the hospital, depending on what was treated.

Many owners want to know when they should expect to see results. While we can give basic expectations based on 20 years of experience, every pet is different, and some pets require longer or even additional treatments before they experience noticeable results. We generally say to wait for about 90 days after treatment. If there are no noticeable results after 90 days, this can be due to several reasons. We will usually recommend that your veterinarian do a full work up on your pet (if not already done) to make sure that there are no additional problems that may be inhibiting your pet’s healing. We also offer vet-to-vet consults with VetStem’s staff veterinarians to go over your pet’s case and help to determine if another round of stem cell doses may help.

Here are some statistics we have gathered over the years to help give you a better picture of how VetStem Cell Therapy has helped dogs and horses who were treated for orthopedic conditions:

Dog Stats:

• At 30, 60, and 90 days post stem cell therapy for orthopedic conditions, greater than 80% of dogs showed an improved quality of life.
• In young dogs (1-4 years old) with osteoarthritis, 84% showed an improved quality of life after treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy and 78% were not re-treated in the first year.
• When it comes to osteoarthritis in older dogs (9-18 years old), 81% showed an improved quality of life after treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy and 63% were not re-treated in the first year.

Horse Stats:

• 76% of horses treated with VetStem Cell Therapy for suspensory ligament injuries returned to full work at their prior level.
• 77% of horses who were treated with VetStem Cell Therapy for tendon injuries returned to full work at their prior level.
• 57% of horses treated with VetStem Cell Therapy for joint disease returned to full work at their prior level.

As we discussed in last week’s blog, after sending the initial stem cell injections to your veterinarian, all of your pet’s additional stem cells are put into cryopreservation. This essentially means that the stem cell will be “asleep” in sub-zero temperatures and ready to “wake up” should your pet require an additional treatment. One of the many benefits of VetStem Cell Therapy is our ability to store and also grow more of your pet’s stem cells so that one fat collection procedure provides a lifetime supply of doses.

Have you ever wondered what happens after your pet has fat collected for treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy? If so, we have some good news for you: we’re going to break down the steps in between fat extraction and stem cell injection in this week’s blog!

VetStem Cell Therapy begins the same for every pet. First, your pet must have fat extracted during a minimally invasive anesthetic procedure. For dogs and cats, the fat tissue is most commonly taken from their abdomen while horses tend to have fat taken from their tailhead. Once extracted, the fat is aseptically packaged by your pet’s veterinary team and shipped overnight to VetStem in a temperature-controlled container.

Once VetStem receives the fat tissue, our laboratory team processes the package to ensure there are no potential sterility issues and that the temperature is at or below the maximum acceptable temperature. They also confirm that the pet’s name matches what we have in our database to ensure patient identity. If there are any issues with identity or sterility, processes are delayed until we can rectify the issues.

The fat then goes into process in our laboratory. Lab technicians follow strict protocols using VetStem’s patented technology to process each pet’s fat in sterile hoods in our GMP compliant facility. Stem cells are extracted from each sample and counted using an extremely accurate cell counter so we know exactly how many stem cells we get from each fat sample we process. We also confirm the viability of the cells. This allows us to ensure we provide what are considered to be therapeutic doses.

Meanwhile, our customer service team is busy on the administrative side entering data for each pet who is having fat processed that day. We record everything from breed, sex, age of the pet to injury/condition being treated, concurrent treatments, fat collection site and so much more. Customer Service also generates shipping labels so that doses for each patient can be shipped back to your veterinary team via priority overnight.

Stem cell doses are prepared for your pet based on the specific injection requests from your veterinarian. These doses, like the fat tissue, are packaged carefully in a temperature-controlled container and shipped out the same day for receipt at your veterinary clinic the following morning. Most of the time, your pet will receive their stem cell injections the day the doses are received at the clinic, which is approximately 48 hours after the initial fat collection procedure.

But the fun doesn’t end there! Our lab technicians also store any remaining cells for your pet, which are carefully labeled in one of several cryotanks. The storage location of extra cells is noted in your pet’s file so we can easily locate them for future stem cell recoveries. This means your pet can receive future stem cell treatments as needed without having to undergo another fat collection procedure.

And there you have it: a day in the life of a fat tissue sample at VetStem. If you’re curious about VetStem Cell Therapy, visit our FAQs page for more information.