Jul 11, 2014

What can stem cells be used for? Arthritis

Posted by Bob under Dog Arthritis, Dog Stem Cells

Stem cells have been and will continue to be a hot news topic.  So what do we know about how they actually work in arthritis?

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 »

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Jun 6, 2014

Stem cells: How do they work?

Ready for a little more detail on how stem cells can work?  Great!

Stem cells are kind of multi-purpose, so how they work depends on the particular need.  Ben has volunteered as our example.  Let’s say Ben, being a Border Collie, is so focused on chasing a frisbie that he fails to see the fence in his pathway.  He crashes into the fence Read the rest of this entry »

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Nov 28, 2012

Can Dog Paralysis be Cured by Regenerative Medicine?

Posted by Bob under Dog Stem Cells, Stem Cell Industry

I am guessing that you might have heard about the exciting data about dogs with damaged spinal cords that were treated with regenerative medicine. As with all science, the devil is in the details.  Cure is a BIG concept.  The group in England presented data in the journal  Brain showing that a stem-like cell from the nervous tissue in the nose could be injected in the damaged spinal cord of dogs.  These cells apparently helped make connections between the rear and front feet to allow a more coordinated walking movement.  It is difficult to see from the single video (this might have been the best one) to tell how much the dogs were helped.  They do state that the dogs did not regain bowel or bladder control. This study was for the purpose of deciding if this therapy could some day help humans. For us, we are excited because it may help our four legged friends.

The dog in the video improved over six months to be able to walk with the hind legs mostly following the front.  It is a major advance, but far from a cure for paralysis.  The authors are realistic in stating: “..this intervention alone is unlikely to have appreciable benefits in the treatment of human spinal cord injury…”  The therapy helps the rear legs follow the front legs without re-connecting to the brain.  It would not likely help with the more complicated activities such as bladder control, hand motion, or sexual function.

Another interesting possibility presented by the authors is that “the precise type of cells in the transplant is not critical to the success of mucosal-derived transplants.”  Vet-Stem is exploring with the authors whether adipose stem cells might provide a similar benefit, as was shown in an article by Dr. Ryu (click here for link).

Science always brings hope, but it is important to realize the time lag of translating clinical trial data into real therapy for affected animals or humans.  We will update you as we determine if this method might be useful to our dog buddies in the near term.

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Nov 15, 2012

Veterinary Stem Cell Meeting – Highlights

Incredible new results for stem cell therapy were presented at the 3rd North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Meeting in Savannah, Georgia last week.  I was privelidged to attend and to present our data.  One presenter showed how stem cells can function to grow new tendons and ligaments.  Another (Dr. Ross Rich, Cave Creek, AZ) presented data on how over 85% of horses with ligament injury return to full performance level after being treated with adipose stem cells.  I was selected to present data on how stem cells can potentially help cats with failing kidneys.   Dr. John Peroni of the University of Georgia presided as the association president and introduced the keynote speaker from Georgia Tech who spoke on stem cells in bone healing.  One spectacular presentation showed how adipose stem cells can heal dogs with serious tendon and ligament injuries sustained in athletic events like agility and flyball.  Wow.   In the coming weeks, I will post on the data presented on dogs with arthritis and horses with arthritis and also laminitis to give you a flavor of the rapid progress in discovering new ways to use these cells!  They even showed how they can use advanced stem cell tracking to see how cells move around the body to do their miraculous healing jobs.  A dawn of the age of Regeneration has reached the veterinary world before human medicine.

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Oct 8, 2012

Back to School on Stem Cells

Posted by Bob under Dog Arthritis, Dog Stem Cells

Veterinarians are education junkies.  We have continuing education opportunities nearly every week of the month, all year long.  Vet-Stem has been a leader in providing education about regenerative medicine and we provide the ONLY nationally approved regenerative medicine training course for veterinarians.  Over 3,000 veterinarians have been trained in the US in the last four years!  If your veterinarian has not taken the course, recommend they go to the Vet-Stem webpage (www.vet-stem.com) and click on the button “Vet Login” in the upper right corner of the first page.  They can register and take the FREE 3 hour course online at their own pace to become credentialed.  More next time on what they can learn and how that benefits all the patients they might see, especially relating to arthritis in dogs, cats and horses.

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Jun 17, 2011

Young and Old Dogs Benefit From Stem Cell Therapy

Posted by Bob under Dog Arthritis, Stem Cell Therapy

I want to share with you the stories of Cookie, a 13 year old Australian shepherd mix, and Scout, a 6 year old Newfoundland and their experiences with Stem Cell Therapy for arthritis. An article recently published in the Mercury News, “Stem cell therapy gives dogs new pep in their step” tells us the stories of Cookie and Scout.  Read the rest of this entry »

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May 31, 2011

Why aren’t other diseases and injuries treated with stem cells?

Posted by Bob under Dog Arthritis, Stem Cell Therapy

Arthritis in dogs is what has been treated most often with partial tears of cruciate ligaments coming in second. However, Vet-Stem is part of an international effort that is exploring the ways that stem cells can be used to treat many of the major diseases and injuries known to veterinary and human medicine.  Read the rest of this entry »

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May 19, 2011

Mobile Lameness Diagnostic Unit for Agility Dogs

Posted by Bob under Dog Arthritis, Stem Cell Therapy

Veterinarians are always looking for new ways to improve the lives of animals.  You might say that they will go to the ends of the earth to help our four-legged friends.  One of the most innovative and forward thinking clinics in the US is the Peak Performance Veterinary Group.  Dr. James Gaynor and his staff have developed a new way to bring the most advanced diagnostic tools and treatment technologies to canine athletes with the PEAK PET, their Performance Evaluation Trailer.  Read the rest of this entry »

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May 17, 2011

Barney is One Lucky Puppy Dog

Posted by Bob under from the owner

We are always impressed by the dedication and love that “Pet Parents” show their pets.  A great example is Sarah from Texas.  You have to check out the website she made for her beloved Barney at www.LuckyPuppyDog.com.  Sarah made a webpage dedicated to the Story of Barney, his severe hip dysplasia and arthritis, and his Vet-Stem Cell Therapy.  Read the rest of this entry »

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May 10, 2011

Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs- How Long Does it Last?

Posted by Bob under Dog Arthritis, Stem Cell Therapy

Many dog owners who are considering stem cell therapy for their dog want to know if stem cells are a one-time treatment or if periodic injections are needed.  The answer is yes to both questions.

Some dogs treated with stem cells see a prolonged benefit that lasts years, click here to read Yogi’s experience. Other dogs, especially older dogs with more severe arthritis might need re-treatment periodically.  Read the rest of this entry »

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