Petside Items: Guest Blogger Jo Singer on Stem Cells
Having owned a horse with severe arthritis many years ago, requiring massive doses of painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications, my veterinarian and I felt helpless to give her a dramatically improved quality of life. Today I learned about an innovative treatment, which holds the potential to regenerate damaged tissue and cartilage.
Stem cell therapy may still be light years away for humans, as the debate around the ethics of embryonic stem cells continues, but our pets may be able to benefit today.
While still a new therapeutic modality in the veterinary field, it shows great promise at this time in the treatment of Arthritis, tendon and ligament injuries in dogs as well as horses. Fat stem cells taken from the injured animal negates the use of embryo cells.
Special guest contributor, Jo Singer
It is really a simple process. Your veterinarian extracts two tablespoons of fat from your dog or horse and ships them to Vet-Stem laboratory, located in San Diego, California. These cells are isolated. Once processed, the isolated cells returned to the veterinarian in ready-to-inject syringes. The animal is then treated by a series of injections. Clinics participating in the study have reported show the benefit of each injection lasting from a few months to over a year.
According to Vet-Stem, 3000 horses with tendon and ligament injuries have been treated successfully since 2004. Treatment is offered by Vet-Stem trained veterinary surgeons through their company. The cost is approximately $2,000, a hefty price tag, but as far as I am concerned, it may be the answer to a prayer in keeping a beloved dog or horse free of pain, therefore able to resume a normal lifestyle.
While long-term affects of this therapy remain unknown, I would have jumped at the chance to treat my horse utilizing fat stem cells. Preferable to extended drug therapy, (which does little to heal damaged tissue, as far as I am concerned) this remarkable therapy is hands above more traditional methods.
What are your thoughts about fat stem cell therapy for pets? Leave a comment and let us know.
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Comments (13)
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db June 3, 2008 9:42 AM
this sounds so very promising. I wonder if this would work on other animals. We have an arthretic goat that is a precious family member. thank you for the information. I will contact our vet today.
Wuzelac June 3, 2008 9:42 AM
Very interesting! My 11 yr old Golden Retriever has a permanent hitch in his giddyup these days due to arthritis in his shoulder. I didn't realize this treatment is available for dogs. I'm going to ask my Vet about it. I live in a more rural area and they may not know a whole lot about it but it will make an interesting conversation. Thanks for posting about it!
Trey June 3, 2008 9:42 AM
Very interesting. While my 20 yr old mare shows no sign of arthritis, (wish I was so lucky) down the road she may. It's good to know that there may be help for her.
fhg June 3, 2008 9:43 AM
I think it is wonderful that veterinary medicine has come so far in using fat stem cells. I would much prefer it over long term traditional medicine. Very interesting article.
Lauren June 3, 2008 12:10 PM
I have a 3 yo dog with patellar luxation what I know will get continually worse. At this time the only treatment is surgery. I would love to try this for her but the price is out of my reach.
Kim Jack Riley June 3, 2008 12:43 PM
I think that this would be especially helpful in extending the working lives of service animals, who are so much more than pets to their owners.
Rosi June 3, 2008 1:20 PM
I wish that stem cells could regenerate navicular bones. Maybe eventually, this too will be possible.Rosi
Kim Jack Riley June 3, 2008 1:20 PM
I wish that stem cells could regenerate navicular bones. Maybe eventually, this too will be possible.Rosi
Kim Jack Riley June 3, 2008 1:21 PM
I wish that stem cells could regenerate navicular bones. Maybe eventually, this too will be possible.
Rosi
Kim Jack Riley June 3, 2008 5:18 PM
If it's this simple, I can't fathom why it hasn't been done with humans. I'd happily donate at least 2 tbsp of my fat cells to grow new cells to repair all my damaged ones. I told my hubby and he offered up two liters worth, to fix his sciatica.
I may sound light and humorous here, but I'm more than half-serious.
Rani
Kim Jack Riley June 3, 2008 8:47 PM
There are so many cutting edge therapies for tendon injuries in horses. Our horse Charlie received a therapy called plasmaphoresis (sp?) to help heal a severed extensor tendon. Just amazing results.
Pam June 4, 2008 6:05 PM
Jo, this sounds very promosing! Congratulations on being a part of Petside.
Kim Jack Riley June 6, 2008 1:29 PM
I had no idea that stem cell therapy, which seems to hold great potential for improving health and quality of life, is available to animals. Thanks for your info and viewpoint