Aug 30, 2024

VetStem Helps Senior Dog Get Back to Neighborhood Walks

Posted by Bob under Dog Arthritis, Dog Stem Cells

Similar to humans, aging is a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs. While OA can occur in dogs of any age, one study conducted in the UK indicated that dogs over eight years old were most frequently diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Treating OA in the early stages can help to slow the progression of the disease. That being said, numerous senior pets with advanced OA have benefitted from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy.

One example is Jake, a senior Labrador retriever who was diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in his left elbow when he was just a puppy. OCD is a developmental disease in which the cartilage in the affected joint(s) separates from the bone. Though the exact cause of OCD is unknown, it typically occurs in rapidly growing large breed dogs and can cause limping, lameness, and pain.

Jake underwent a successful surgery to correct the problem however, as with most orthopedic surgeries, it was almost guaranteed that his elbow would eventually develop arthritis. At about eight years old, Jake began limping after physical activity. His symptoms were mild at first but grew in severity over the years and when he was thirteen, it became really hard for him to walk due to pain in his left elbow. On top of this, he developed spondylosis (osteoarthritis of the spine). These challenges severely affected his quality of life.

His veterinarian, Dr. Brad Steele of Torrey Pines Animal Hospital recommended treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy. Stem cells have demonstrated the ability to reduce pain and inflammation, help to restore range of motion, and stimulate regeneration of tendon, ligament, and joint tissues.

To begin the process, Dr. Steele collected fat from Jake’s abdomen during a minimally invasive anesthetic procedure. The fat was processed at the VetStem laboratory, and three injectable doses of Jake’s stem cells were sent to Dr. Steele for treatment. Jake received one dose of his own stem cells into each elbow and one intravenous dose. Approximately one month later, he received an identical treatment using stem cells that were cryobanked from his initial fat tissue process.

According to Jake’s owner, it took about 5 to 6 months until they noticed a significant improvement in his mobility and reduction in his limping. His owner stated, “Before the treatment, he could barely walk more than 10-20 feet before giving up and wanting to be carried back in. After the treatment, he got back to 20+ minute walks around the neighborhood and seems close to back to normal for a dog of his age. We are grateful that the stem cell treatment brought our sweet old dog out of a life of pain and back to being a happy old man.”

If you think your senior dog may benefit from VetStem Cell Therapy, speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.

Jake

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