Gemini, a young Golden Retriever, began struggling with mobility as early as nine months old. Her owners noticed that simple activities, like climbing stairs or getting up from a resting position, were becoming increasingly difficult for her. She also experienced intermittent lameness and discomfort. Gemini’s veterinarian diagnosed her with bilateral hip arthritis caused by hip dysplasia, a developmental condition in which the hip joint does not form properly. This joint instability can lead to painful osteoarthritis, even in very young dogs.

Because of her age, Gemini’s family hoped to avoid invasive surgical procedures. Her veterinarian, Dr. Andrea Hayes of VCA Boone Animal Hospital, recommended VetStem Cell Therapy as a less-invasive treatment option. “After her first stem cell treatment, at 10 months old, she showed significant improvement in all areas of mobility,” her owner shared. “Although her range of motion had improved, it was still not at an acceptable range, and she still showed signs of discomfort at times.”

When Gemini turned two, her owners decided to use some of the stored stem cells for a second treatment. “At the age of 24 months, we still felt she was too young to consider a surgical procedure and decided to have another stem cell treatment performed with the banked doses we had in storage at VetStem from the original procedure,” her owner explained. “After this second treatment, Gemini’s condition significantly improved. Her range of motion is almost that of a healthy dog. Although stairs are still somewhat of an issue for her, she has no other mobility issues at this time. We are grateful to have found a non-surgical option for Gemini to improve her quality of life. We are also grateful for having someone like Dr. Hayes making this type of treatment available to us. It is comforting to know that this type of treatment is still available for Gemini in the future, if needed, with the banked cells we still have at VetStem. Our hopes are to avoid ever having to put her through hip replacement or any other type of orthopedic surgery. Gemini is currently in training to become a certified therapy dog just like her brother and sister dogs.”

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs and can significantly impact mobility and overall quality of life. VetStem Cell Therapy has been used to treat thousands of dogs with osteoarthritis, with over 80% of pet owners and veterinarians reporting improved comfort and function. And because osteoarthritis is often a progressive condition, VetStem’s ability to store stem cells for future treatments can be a valuable tool for long-term care.

Think your pet may benefit from VetStem Cell Therapy? Speak to your veterinarian or contact us for a list of VetStem providers near you.

Gemini