Stem Cell Therapy
For many of us, the term stem cells brings to mind associations with debated moral and ethical issues. There is, however, another side of stem cells and stem cell therapy. I am very excited to report that stem cell therapy has arrived in the veterinary arena without controversy or contest. The process uses stem cells collected from an adult body’s own fat. A company called Vet-Stem is currently working with certified veterinarians to provide stem cell therapy for their patients. Currently, we are able to offer this treatment option for dogs, cats and horses.
So how is it that an adult body still has stem cells? Stem cells are simply undifferentiated cells that can be found in most tissue in the body. These cells remain primitive or undifferentiated, waiting for the body to need them. Many people think of their bodies and cells working in a very quiet and orderly fashion. This is, however, far from reality. Our bodies are like a war zone inside- there is chaos and destrucion everywhere- and on a microscopic level, the body is constantly rebuilding just to maintain. Our bodies call on these undifferentiated cells every day to maintain health in our organs, in bones and on the skin. Without stem cells, we could not survive.
A single stem cells is able to differentiate or turn into many different tissues such as tendon, cartilage, bone or organ depending where it goes. The controversy on the human side, is over using embryonic stem cells. These cells, taken from embryos, have the ability to form whole beings- to create an entire new person, dog or sheep. Adult stem cells on the other hand, have the ability to differentiate into many different types of tissues but work to “repair”. This makes these cells very useful for healing tissues or potentially organs.
In animals, we now have a way to harvest adult stem cells, collect and process them and then replace them in the body where they are needed. The amazing part is that the cells take care of the rest. Stem cell therapy is also known as regenerative medicine. The cells will regenerate the tissue in its close environment.
Currently the process is open for treatment of osteoarthritis, tendon and ligament injuries. Once an animal has been deemed a candidate for treatment, he or she undergoes a short surgical procedure to collect fat. The fat is most often harvested from around their shoulders or pelvic area. Fat, especially from these areas, is a rich source of stem cells. In fact a small amount, less than 1/2 a cup, can potentially provide enough cells for multiple treatments for your animal. After collection, this fat is shipped to the Vet-Stem company who harvests and processes the cells and sends those needed back to the veterinarian for injection. The number of cells harvested varies from animal to animal depending on the “quality of their fat” so to speak.
The entire process is generally completed in three days. The costs will vary, but it would be safe to ball park at least several thousand dollars. For the animal, the procedure involves a surgery for fat collection and then usually sedation to inject the harvested and processed cells back into joints,tendons or ligaments two days later. If enough cells were able to be harvested, the Vet-Stem company will store those cells not needed for the first round of therapy and hold them for later use. Since the cells are autologous (supplied by the animal for its own use) there is no chance for rejection.
Studies are presently ongoing for use of this therapy in treatment of liver failure, irritable bowel syndrome and various auto-immune conditions. I have only used the procedure to treat arthritis thus far and the results have been impressive. Decreased pain with improved mobility. A win win combination. It is exciting to think where this therapy could lead us. What it has to offer presently, and what it could offer to our animal friends in the future.
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What is several thousand dollars? From all the articles I’ve read so far the procedure is in the ball park of $2,000-$2,500. I think of several as upwards of $4,000 and more.
Several thousand could be $2,000 to $2,500 or in some cases the total could be more in the range f $4,000. Costs will vary patient to patient as well as hospital to hospital. Think of it very much like the cost of a sugery. All surgeons have different pricing structures as and each patient requires different care- from the type of anesthesia used to the number of x rays that are needed.
I have looked into this procedure for my 1 year old, who has been deemed a certain candidate one day for hip replacement. I have found a certified vet in the area and the price is less than replacement, but high. I think the lab tab was around $2000 to $2500, and surgery would be on top of that. Still, worth it. Just waiting as long as we can to be sure they have as much info on the procedure as possible. What a breakthrough!
good Article.
Thank you
Very good Tracy. How can you find a Dr in our area that is doing this? Are you working with anyone here on that?
I am doing the procedure in Richmond and Williamsburg.
In general to find a practioner, you can look at vet-stem.com for a list of certified veterinarians in your area.
How many treatments does it take to see results? How long does therapy last? Are results permanent?
Very good Tracy. How can you find a Dr in our area that is doing this? Are you working with anyone here on that?
A roommate recommended me to check out this site, brill post, interesting read… keep up the nice work!