As a pet owner, you always want what’s best for your furry friend, especially when they face health challenges. One promising treatment is VetStem Cell Therapy, which has shown great success in treating a variety of conditions in pets, including arthritis, soft tissue injuries, and a number of other diseases. But is stem cell therapy the right option for your pet? There are several important factors to consider before deciding to move forward with stem cell therapy.
The first thing to discuss with your veterinarian is your pet’s specific condition. Stem cell therapy can be highly effective in treating injuries, inflammation, and degenerative diseases, such as partial tears of the cruciate ligament and osteoarthritis. If your pet suffers from chronic pain or mobility issues, stem cells may help regenerate damaged tissues and reduce inflammation and pain, leading to improved movement and a better quality of life. Speak with your veterinarian to determine if your pet’s condition may benefit from stem cell therapy.
Another key factor to consider is your pet’s age and overall health. While pets of all ages have benefited from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, it’s important to note that your dog or cat will have to undergo anesthesia to collect their fat tissue in a minimally invasive procedure. If they have other serious medical conditions, the vet may need to weigh potential benefits of treatment vs. the potential risks of anesthesia. Additionally, cancer is one condition that is contraindicated with VetStem Cell Therapy. We generally recommend that pets with active or recent cancer do not receive stem cell therapy.
Lastly, it’s essential to understand that every patient reacts differently to stem cell therapy and not all outcomes look the same. The success of stem cell therapy varies depending on the condition, severity, and individual pet, but the results can and have been life-changing for thousands of animals. By consulting with your veterinarian and weighing the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision that’s right for both your pet and your family.
If you’re a dog owner, chances are you’ve heard the term “hip dysplasia.” According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, “Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a condition that begins in dogs as they grow and results in instability or a loose fit (laxity) of the hip joint.” Essentially, the ball of the hip joint doesn’t fit properly into the socket, causing abnormal movement, which results in cartilage degeneration, scar tissue formation, and bone spurs around the joint. As you can imagine, this is a painful condition that ultimately leads to osteoarthritis.
In many cases, surgery is the recommended treatment for hip dysplasia, but this option comes with its own challenges. Surgery can be invasive, expensive, and unfortunately, many dogs still develop scar tissue and arthritis over time. Another potential treatment option is stem cell therapy. While stem cell therapy won’t cure hip dysplasia, stem cells can help to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Stem cells also have the unique ability to differentiate into numerous tissue types, potentially aiding in the regeneration of damaged cartilage. These combined effects can lead to increased mobility and an improved quality of life for dogs with hip dysplasia and arthritis.
Given the prevalence of hip dysplasia and arthritis in dogs, numerous veterinarians have successfully treated thousands of dogs with these conditions using VetStem Cell Therapy. And many have seen great results! One example is Artemis, a Bernese Mountain Dog, with bilateral hip dysplasia. Fortunately for Artemis, her owner sought treatment early and her veterinarian recommended VetStem Cell Therapy.
After receiving stem cell therapy, Artemis’ owner shared, “I can see improvement as she stands from lying down, as well as after extended play or walks. My hope is with continued stem cell treatments she will stay comfortable longer.” You can read Artemis’ VetStem success story here.
VetStem’s ability to cryopreserve and store stem cells from each patient is particularly valuable for patients like Artemis who will never have perfect hips. With additional cells in her cryobank, Artemis can receive a lifetime of future treatments using her own stem cells without the need for additional fat collection procedures.
If your dog is struggling with hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis, stem cell therapy may offer a promising path toward relief. In fact, surveys from both dog owners and veterinarians show that over 80% of dogs experienced an improved quality of life following treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy for osteoarthritis. Additionally, a peer-reviewed study of dogs with chronic osteoarthritis of the hip found that treatment with stem cells reduced pain and lameness.
Contact us today to find a VetStem provider near you.
Valentine’s Day is all about showing love and appreciation, and one of the best ways to do that for your pet is by ensuring they live a happy, healthy life. If your pet suffers from arthritis, joint pain, or other chronic conditions, VetStem Cell Therapy may be the perfect gift to improve their quality of life. Stem cell therapy works by harnessing the body’s natural healing power to repair damaged tissues, reduce inflammation and pain, and promote healing.
For pets, especially those in their senior years, chronic pain can become a daily struggle. Whether it’s difficulty jumping onto the couch, climbing stairs, or going for walks, you can see the toll it takes on their overall happiness. VetStem Cell Therapy offers a non-invasive option that targets the source of the problem rather than masking symptoms with medication. By stimulating healing at the cellular level, stem cells can help your pet live more comfortably with less pain and increased mobility. According to surveys answered by owners and veterinarians, greater than 80% of dogs who were treated with VetStem Cell Therapy for orthopedic conditions experienced an improved quality of life!
This Valentine’s Day, consider the long-term benefits of stem cell therapy as a way to show your pet just how much they mean to you. Whether your pet is battling arthritis, recovering from an orthopedic injury, or suffering from a chronic condition, this innovative treatment has the potential to transform their life. After all, nothing says “I love you” more than ensuring your pet can enjoy their golden years pain-free, with plenty of tail wags and snuggles along the way.
As we celebrate National Cat Health Month, it’s important to recognize the silent struggles many cats face. Cats are notorious for hiding pain, a trait that evolved to protect them in the wild. Unfortunately, this means many conditions go unnoticed until they reach an advanced stage. One such condition is osteoarthritis, which affects a significant number of older cats but is often undiagnosed because the signs are subtle. Limping, reduced activity, and difficulty jumping may seem like just signs of aging, but these are often indications of joint pain. With VetStem Cell Therapy, cats suffering from osteoarthritis may find relief, as stem cells can help reduce pain and inflammation and promote tissue repair, thereby improving their mobility and comfort.
While stem cell therapy is widely known for treating joints and soft tissue injuries, its benefits extend beyond osteoarthritis. VetStem Cell Therapy has shown promise in treating alternative conditions like kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and gingivostomatitis. Stem cells have unique regenerative properties that can help reduce inflammation and support tissue repair in the kidneys, intestines, and gums. For cats with chronic kidney disease, stem cell therapy may help slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. In cases of IBD, stem cells can help reduce gut inflammation and modulate the immune system, thereby reducing symptoms associated with the disease. The same is true for cats suffering from gingivostomatitis, a painful inflammatory condition affecting the mouth. Stem cell therapy can promote healing of the tissues, reduce pain, and control the immune response.
As cat owners, we want the best for our feline companions, and stem cell therapy is emerging as a promising solution for a variety of conditions. By leveraging the body’s regenerative abilities, stem cell therapy can not only improve the quality of life for cats but also help manage chronic conditions that have limited treatment options. This National Cat Health Month, consider discussing stem cell therapy with your veterinarian to learn how it might benefit your cat.
Contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.
Stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are two invaluable regenerative medicine tools that utilize natural cells to expedite and improve healing. Both therapies have their place in veterinary medicine however when stem cell therapy and PRP are used together, the two therapies complement each other to create a synergistic effect that enhances the overall healing process.
Stem cells and PRP share similar mechanisms of action such as the ability to reduce pain and inflammation and stimulate wound healing. Stem cells, however, are unique in their ability to differentiate into various types of cells including cartilage, bone, muscle, and more, allowing them to respond to specific tissue and injury needs. This regenerative approach is especially beneficial for conditions like osteoarthritis and tendon and ligament injuries where healing through traditional methods can be slow or incomplete.
PRP therapy, on the other hand, uses concentrated platelets to enhance healing. Platelets are rich in growth factors and cytokines that play a key role in tissue repair. When injected into an injury site, platelets release their growth factors and cytokines to reduce inflammation and attract stem cells and other healing cells to assist in the tissue repair process.
When used together, stem cell therapy and PRP work synergistically to amplify the healing properties of each. In multiple studies across several disease processes and injuries, the combination of stem cells and PRP proved to be more effective than the individual therapies alone. Stem cells provide the building blocks for new tissue formation, while PRP delivers the necessary growth factors and cytokines to optimize the regenerative environment. This combined approach not only accelerates healing but can also improve the long-term outcomes for pets suffering from chronic or acute injuries. By leveraging the strengths of both therapies, veterinarians can offer a more comprehensive and effective treatment plan, helping pets return to their normal activities faster and with less pain.
While VetStem Cell Therapy has been around for over 20 years and used in over 16,000 animals, many pet owners are new to the idea of stem cell therapy. As pet owners explore this innovative therapeutic modality, it’s natural to have questions about its effectiveness, safety, and applications. Here, we address some common FAQs to provide clarity and insight into what stem cell therapy entails for your beloved companions.
1. What is stem cell therapy and how does it work for pets? Stem cell therapy involves using the regenerative properties of stem cells to promote healing and repair damaged tissues in pets. VetStem Cell Therapy utilizes a pet’s own stem cells from a sample of fat tissue that your veterinarian collects during a minimally invasive anesthetic procedure. After processing in our GMP compliant stem cell laboratory, the stem cells are prepared and shipped to your veterinarian for injection into the area(s) of injury/disease. (Learn more about the laboratory process here.) This process aims to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve overall mobility and quality of life in pets suffering from conditions like osteoarthritis, tendon or ligament injuries, and even certain internal medicine and immune-mediated conditions.
2. Is stem cell therapy safe for pets? Stem cell therapy is considered safe for pets when performed by trained veterinary and laboratory professionals. VetStem Cell Therapy involves minimal risk because the stem cells are sourced from the pet’s own body, reducing the likelihood of rejection or adverse reactions. Additionally, stem cells processed at VetStem are minimally manipulated and undergo strict quality assessments. VetStem employs stringent processing protocols and quality control methods to help ensure the safety and well-being of the animal. However, as with any medical treatment, potential risks and benefits should be discussed with your veterinarian before proceeding.
3. What conditions can stem cell therapy treat in pets? Stem cell therapy has shown promise in treating a variety of conditions in pets, primarily those involving musculoskeletal and joint issues. Common applications include osteoarthritis, joint dysplasia, ligament and tendon injuries, and muscle injuries. Research is ongoing to explore its potential for treating other ailments such as kidney disease, gingivostomatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and more! While results can vary depending on the severity of the condition and individual pet responses, many owners report improvements in their pet’s quality of life following stem cell treatment.
4. How much does stem cell therapy cost and is it covered by pet insurance? The cost of stem cell therapy for pets can vary widely depending on factors such as the type of condition treated, the clinic’s location, and the specific treatment protocol used. On average, pet owners can expect to invest several hundred to several thousand dollars per treatment session. It’s important to check with your veterinarian and inquire about potential financing options or payment plans that may be available. Regarding pet insurance coverage, policies can differ significantly, so it’s advisable to review your insurance policy or consult with your provider to determine if stem cell therapy is covered under your plan.
VetStem Cell Therapy has improved the lives of thousands of pets suffering from various medical conditions. By understanding the basics of this treatment option and discussing it with your veterinarian, you can make informed decisions about whether stem cell therapy is suitable for your pet’s specific needs. Click here to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.
VetStem patient, Bella, receives her own stem cells via intravenous infusion
VetStem founder and CEO, Dr. Bob Harman, recently joined Fuzzybutts and Friends on a podcast to discuss VetStem Cell Therapy and the science of stem cells. Joining him is Dr. Angie Zinkus, veterinarian and VetStem enthusiast at Germantown Parkway Animal Hospital. This podcast really gets down to the nitty gritty about stem cells and the various diseases that have been treated with VetStem Cell Therapy. Some of the big questions that are addressed are:
What are stem cells? Where do they come from? What are the mechanisms of action/how do they work? What CAN’T be treated with stem cells? And more!! You don’t want to miss this one!
In last week’s VetStem blog, we introduced you to veterinarian and stem cell therapy proponent, Dr. John Hutchens. Dr. Hutchens shared his thoughts and experiences regarding the use of VetStem Cell Therapy in his patients. Check it out if you haven’t already, it’s a good one with lots of great information.
This week, we are sharing the experience of one of Dr. Hutchens’ VetStem patients, Holly. Holly is a chocolate Lab that received VetStem Cell Therapy for osteoarthritis in her hips and knees. Her owners kept a near daily journal of her treatment and initial progress. It’s rare that we get such a glimpse into the stem cell recovery process, so we wanted to share this with you! Check it out below.
Tuesday, July 25, 2022
Holly, our 11-year-old Labrador Retriever, had surgery today to remove a small amount of adipose tissue (fat) from her abdomen. It was sent to VetStem in California and should arrive there tomorrow. VetStem will isolate the stem cells and prepare 5 shots for Holly, one for each hip and one for each knee, and one IV. The rest will be stored by cryopreservation for future use. Stem cells are used for regenerative purposes in dogs, cats, and horses. VetStem will send the shots and IV back to my vet on Thursday for injection Friday morning if all goes well.
Friday, July 28
When we arrived at the vet at 8:00 am, we were told the shipment had been delayed in Indiana and was not there yet. My vet, Dr. Hutchens, had already talked to VetStem and they assured him it would be here first thing this morning. Since the cells are viable for 48 hours after shipping, if we had to, we could wait and do the procedure Saturday morning. He was willing to come in on a Saturday if they didn’t show up this morning. He is awesome. This was a minor blessing because Holly had developed diarrhea Wednesday evening and it gave the vet time to give her some meds to settle her stomach and start an IV to hydrate her. We left Holly at the vet and prayed the shipment would arrive soon.
Holly received an injection of her own stem cells into her hips and knees
Around lunch time we got a call from the vet. The shipment had arrived right away. Holly had already gotten her injections and IV and we could pick her up at 4:30. She was bright, perky, and ready to go home. She had a lot of swelling from the injections, and she was very sore on her back legs. She looked like a checkerboard where her hair had been clipped for her surgery and from her shots. She woke up twice that night and had to be helped up so she could go out to relieve herself.
Saturday, July 30
Her legs are still very sore. She is having difficulty getting up off the floor. We don’t have carpet and she slips when trying to get up. I’ve had to lift her up several times when she needed to get up. She slept all night.
Sunday, July 31
Holly is getting up easier today. In the morning she was stiff and had a hard time getting up but this afternoon she is getting up on her own and walking more.
Monday, August 1
Holly is so much better today. She can get up on her own and trots down the hall, instead of walking! She goes up and down her outside ramp with ease. This afternoon I rolled her ball about 10 feet and she actually ran after it. She is as good as, and maybe slightly better than she was before all this.
Tuesday, August 2
Wow, Holly went for a walk around the back pasture with Don (husband). Normally, she would go halfway around the acre, and stop while he finished his walk. Today, she walked around it 5 times! She hasn’t done that in about a year. I’ve cut back on her pain meds. Before all this, she was on 1.5 Rimadyl tablets and 2 Gabapentin capsules every day. She is only on 1 Rimadyl tablet and 1 Gabapentin a day now.
Wednesday, August 3 and Thursday, August 4
Holly continues to improve. It’s been a while since she would sit up and now, she is sitting again instead of lying on the floor all day. Unfortunately, that means she is begging for food. LOL. She has more energy, less pain, and is much happier. Her quality of life is so much better now.
Friday, August 5
We took her back to the vet to have her stitches out. The vet was amazed at how much better she was. She went from not being able to get up on her own, to getting up by herself, trotting down the halls. She is going up and down her ramp with ease, sitting up and being happy again! I recommend stem cell therapy to anyone who has a dog, cat, or horse that has health problems that this could fix. It’s a regenerative medical therapy that will enable the body to repair, replace, restore, and regenerate damaged or diseased tissues using its own cells.
Monday, August 8
Today Holly ran from the living room to the side door and barked when Robin came over and rang the doorbell. She commented that Holly had not done that in quite some time. This is so awesome.
Friday, August 12
Holly ran about 3 feet today. We threw (rolled) a ball about 5 feet and she ran after it. It didn’t last long but she actually ran a little.
Holly
August 16 & 18. This is week 3.
This is amazing. Robin threw Holly’s ball about 50 feet. Holly took off running as fast as she could (not very fast), trying to catch it. It’s crazy how much she has improved! She tried going down the deck stairs but fell at the bottom. She is still not quite strong enough to use the stairs going down all the time. She still mostly uses the ramp. We changed her meds to 1.5 Rimadyl only. We think the Gabapentin was causing her diarrhea.
August 24 & 25
Holly woke up wanting to play! She playfully growled and barked and tried to grab Don’s hand while squirming around in her bed and wagging her tail. She loves playing with him and never bites. LOL. When we opened the gate to the front pasture, she ran about 50 feet to meet Abby, Robin’s dog. They bounced around for a minute, then each went their own way sniffing everything they could find. She is actually interested in being outside now instead of lying around in the house all day. The next morning, she was stalking squirrels. She ran half the yard’s length then slowed down to a walk when the squirrel climbed a tree. She found one of her beloved balls and carried it around with her for half an hour before going back in the house. I can’t believe how much energy she has now.
September – Week 1
Holly has started using our deck stairs to go down to the yard again! Before, she would use her ramp which has roofing shingles tacked on it so she wouldn’t slip. Now, she is strong enough that she doesn’t fall at the bottom step anymore. She still uses the ramp to get back up to the deck.
September – Week 2 (approx. 45 days after treatment with stem cells)
Holly ran all the way across our back yard this week. That’s about 100 feet! I also noticed that she has started jumping up and down a little when she gets really excited or someone comes to the house. These stem cells seem to still be working. I wonder what it could do for me. LOL. It’s like the Fountain of Youth!
As you can see, VetStem Cell Therapy helped Holly live a better quality of life. At 11 years old with osteoarthritis in multiple joints, the treatment didn’t make her like a puppy again. But it did help her get moving so she could get back to some of her favorite things in life like playing with her ball, walking with dad, stalking squirrels, and greeting visitors. If you think your dog may benefit from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.
We have a special veterinarian highlight this week. This will actually be a two-part blog series in which we will learn about Dr. John Hutchens of Westmoreland and Slappey Animal Hospital this week and his patient, Holly, next week.
According to his bio on the hospital website, Dr. John Hutchens received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Georgia and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine. He has been utilizing VetStem Cell Therapy since 2013. We recently caught up with Dr. Hutchens to ask him some questions about his use of stem cells.
Why do you find VetStem Cell Therapy to be a valuable addition to your practice?
VetStem Cell Therapy adds value to my practice by significantly improving my patient’s quality of life. Each of my patients have a special relationship with their human counterparts. That relationship can be greatly impacted by the pain associated with degenerative joint disease, arthritis, or injury. VetStem Cell Therapy helps to restore my patient’s ability to move comfortably, restoring their ability to enjoy life and interact with the family they love. There is HUGE value in providing relief of pain and suffering. You cannot put a monetary value on improving a pet’s quality of life and the relationship they have with their family. PRICELESS.
What injuries/ailments do you typically treat with VetStem Cell Therapy?
I have used VetStem Cell Therapy to treat dogs with hip dysplasia and chronic arthritis of the knees and hips. I have treated the average family pet that couldn’t get up the stairs due to severe hip pain. I have also treated the working dog that was diagnosed with hip dysplasia whose human was told by a veterinarian he would no longer be able to do the job he loved. Guess what, after stem cell therapy he continued doing what he loved to do with comfort.
Please describe your ideal stem cell patient- what criteria must they meet in order to recommend stem cell therapy?
My ideal stem cell patient is a dog whose mind is ready and willing to go, but their joints tell them “NO”. This is a patient that wants to interact with the world around them, but because of pain, they just lie around watching the world go by. These are the patients that wag their tail when you walk in the door, but don’t get up because it just hurts too bad to move.
The things I want to know before deciding if a patient is a good candidate for stem cell therapy:
#1 Does the patient have cancer or a history of cancer?
#2 What therapeutics have they tried prior to stem cell therapy and what were the results?
#3 Are the clients willing to bring the patient back for follow up visits to assess progress?
What advice can you offer pet owners considering stem cell therapy for their pet?
Stem cell therapy sounds too good to be true, but in reality, it works! Stem cell therapy is safe, it’s effective, and it’s life changing. With stem cell therapy, you are utilizing your dog’s own naturally occurring healing properties, stem cells, to provide relief from joint pain. It’s not magic, it’s biology and amazing medical advancement.
We hear your patient, Holly, had a great response to treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy. Can you tell us a bit about her treatment and outcome?
Dr. John Hutchens with his VetStem Cell Therapy patient, Holly
I’ve seen Holly many times over the years and watched as her body began to suffer from the impact of degenerative joint disease. She is one of the absolute sweetest patients I see, but because of joint pain, Holly could not comfortably get up to greet me when I walked into the room. Holly had previously been prescribed Rimadyl, Gabapentin, and Adequan at different times to treat her pain and inflammation with mixed results. Ultimately, the discomfort seemed to overwhelm the therapeutics. During one of Holly’s appointments, I discussed the success I had with other patients, similar to Holly, that had experienced dramatic improvement using stem cell therapy. It didn’t take much to convince the Cooks that Holly needed stem cell therapy.
The VetStem Process
We obtained the fat necessary to harvest Holly’s stem cells from a small incision in her abdomen. Holly did fantastic through the collection procedure! The collected fat was then shipped overnight to VetStem for processing. Within 48 hours I was holding the healing power of Holly’s stem cells in my hands! AMAZING!
Holly was brought back into the office to receive her stem cell therapy two days after the collection procedure. Holly’s stem cells were injected in both of her hips, both knees, and given to her intravenously. She was sent home the same day for monitoring and recovery.
Holly returned seven days later to have the sutures from her abdominal incision removed. The response to treatment was AMAZING. I knew that stem cell therapy was effective, but what I saw that day was miraculous. Holly, the dog that could barely get up without help, was bouncing around the exam room like a brand new dog. I watched as a previously lame dog walked without assistance. Seeing her improvement brought tears to my eyes and a HUGE smile to my face. I would say Holly is a tremendous stem cell success story.
We would like to thank Dr. Hutchens for taking the time out of his very busy schedule to answer all of our questions. Hopefully his answers help you to make informed decisions about potentially treating your pet with stem cell therapy. Or, if you are in the Perry, GA area and are curious about VetStem Cell Therapy for your pet, Dr. Hutchens is a great resource. Also, follow him on Instagram @johnhutchensdvm for super cute and educational veterinary content!
It’s still Animal Pain Awareness Month so we have another pain-themed blog for you. This week, we are talking about how stem cell therapy may reduce pain in pets. We frequently share stories about pets who have gained a better quality of life after treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy. And while we know stem cells have multiple mechanisms of action, one lesser-known mechanism is the ability to modulate pain.
You may remember last week’s blog in which we discussed the various classifications of pain. To briefly review, those were:
Nociceptive – caused by noxious stimulation (injury/physical damage, exposure to chemicals or exposure to extreme temperatures)
Inflammatory – caused by acute or chronic inflammation
Neuropathic – from damage to an element of the nervous system
VetStem recipient Deuce had decreased pain after receiving VetStem Cell Therapy for osteoarthritis and tendonitis.
Below, we will discuss how stem cells have the ability to address each one of these pain classifications.
Stem Cells are Anti-Inflammatory
For many years, differentiation was believed to be the primary function of regenerative stem cells. More recent literature, however, supports the notion that stem cell therapy may be an effective treatment option for pain management. The ability of stem cells to regulate inflammation is important when it comes to pain management. By reducing inflammation, stem cells promote healing and increased comfort.
Stem Cells Act Directly on Acute and Chronic Pain
While a reduction in inflammation can lead to increased comfort, current literature supports that stem cells have the ability to address both acute and chronic pain directly. Stem cells have been shown to secrete pain blocking cytokines (small proteins), which can have opioid-like effects. Stem cells have also shown the ability to reduce neuroinflammation (inflammation of the nervous tissue).
If you think your pet may benefit from stem cell therapy, contact us for a list of VetStem providers in your area.
