Adult Canine Stem Cell Therapy Available At Kirkwood Animal Hospital

Adult Stem cell therapy is now available at KAH.  Stem cells, which are harvested from your dog's fat, can be isolated in a lab and then injected into your dog’s joint to treat painful arthritis.  Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into many tissues and can treat a variety of conditions.  Since these cells come from the pet they are injected into; there is no chance for rejection.  Stem cells are also being evaluated to treat some autoimmune diseases, chronic hepatitis and wounds that heal poorly.

 Once in your dogs joint the stem cells:

1.      Provide growth factors to support healing tissue.

2.      Are anti-inflammatory.

3.      Change into the specific cell type needed to repair a given area, like cartilage.

4.      Hone in to the injured area for quick repair including revitalizing weakened cells.

5.      Support immune system function.

 Which dogs are good candidates? 

1.       Dogs that have not responded to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

2.       Dogs that cannot tolerate non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

3.       Dogs that are not good candidates for orthopedic surgery.

4.       Dogs that have early arthritis.

5.       Dogs that have multiple joints afflicted with arthritis

 What is the process?

1.      After a dog is identified as being a good patient for the procedure they will undergo the normal pre-operative screening procedures at KAH.

2.      The dog is then anesthetized and fat is harvested from the patient.  The fat is sent overnight to a lab in San Diego, VetStem (www.VetStem.com) where the stem cells are harvested.  The stem cells are sent back to KAH.  Upon arrival at KAH the stem cells have to be injected into the patient that same day.

3.      Once injected into your dog our veterinarians will instruct you on the correct follow up and physical rehabilitation needed to help your pet recover.

 Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy promises to be an exciting new treatment method for our beloved companions.  However it is in the early stages of use.  Much of the documentation is based on the observations and testimonies of clients and of the doctors administering the therapy.  This is a very exciting new field in Veterinary medicine, however no one can promise good results.

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