FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2011

Milestone: 3000th Dog Treated With Vet-Stem Cell Therapy

POWAY, Calif. – January 5, 2011 – Vet-Stem is celebrating the new year with the milestone of the 3,000th treatment of a canine companion with stem cells! Vet-Stem first offered stem cell therapy for dogs and cats in 2007 and is honored that so many pet owners and veterinarians have placed their trust in Vet-Stem Cell Therapy to treat osteoarthritis and tendon and ligament injuries. Vet-Stem is proud and delighted to hear the stories of the reduction in pain and improvement in quality of life in so many dogs.

Here is one of the many success stories:

Vixen Miller – 11yr old Agility Champion
Border Collie and stem cell advocate since 2007

Vixen finished 8th out of 300 of the top agility dogs in the world in 2005 at the USDAA Cynosport World Games. She earned her MACH and ADCH titles-championship titles from two major organizations. Then in 2006 she suffered a normally career-ending hip injury that left her with a painful bone-on-bone condition. Often, she could barely walk. After stem cell therapy and recovery, Vixen competed against hundreds of dogs to become a finalist in the National Competition.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Vet-Stem and my veterinarian for giving Vixen her health, happiness and a pain free life using Stem Cell Therapy. At the age of 11, four years after the initial Stem Cell treatments, Vixen continues to enjoy an active, pain free life. Thank you, Vet-Stem.” – Shannon Miller, Vixen’s owner.

“I met Shannon and Vixen at a competition recently and what a team! Vixen was the show celebrity because everyone knew the story of her struggle with pain and her incredible will to return to competition. Congratulations Shannon and Vixen!” – Bob Harman, Vet-Stem CEO

About Vet-Stem, Inc.
 Vet-Stem, Inc. was formed in 2002 to bring regenerative medicine to the veterinary profession. In January of 2004, Vet-Stem introduced the first veterinary stem cell servicein the United States. The privately held company is working to develop therapies in veterinary medicine that apply regenerative technologies while utilizing the natural healing properties inherent in all animals. Vet-Stem has exclusive licenses to over 50 patents including worldwide veterinary rights for use of adipose derived stem cells.

Contact us for more information on stem cell therapy.

 Regenerative Medicine for Arthritis: Helping Dogs Help Themselves

James S. Gaynor, DVM, MS, DACVA, DAAPM

Peak Performance Veterinary Group

Colorado Springs, CO USA

The concept of using stem cell therapy as a form of regenerative medicine was born out of a lack of satisfactory therapy for degenerative diseases, such as osteoarthritis. The goal of stem cell therapy is to initiate tissue regeneration, not just healing. In this way, strength, range of motion and performance are enhanced while minimizing scars, pain, and potentially future related disease.

Stem cells are primitive cells which are present in virtually every tissue. They are capable of differentiating into many different tissue types and are self renewing thereby allowing these adult stem cells to treat traumatic and degenerative diseases, including bowed tendons, ligament injuries, and osteoarthritis in horses and dogs.

A key concept is that this type of regenerative medicine utilizes ADULT stem cells. These adult stem cells are derived from depots of fat tissue, making them a readily available source, much easier to collect and much more plentiful than those derived from bone marrow.

In the case of arthritis, stem cells are injected directly into 2-4 affected joints, or intra-articularly and intravenously to induce a more global effect. Once again the regenerative cells can differentiate into many tissue types, induce repair, and stimulate regeneration. 

Currently, over 1800 dogs have been treated for osteoarthritis and orthopedic procedures. Most patients had elbow, hip, or knee problems.  Intra-articular administration of regenerative stem cells significantly decreases pain and improves comfort in the majority of cases. The current indications for regenerative stem cell therapy in dogs includes osteoarthritis and tendon and ligament injuries.   

As more research is conducted, the likelihood of expanding the indications for stem cell therapy increases. Besides the overwhelming scientific data demonstrating the clinical efficacy of regenerative cellular therapy in animal models of osteoarthritis, many additional studies demonstrate success in treating systemic disorders such as stroke, heart attack, muscular dystrophy, and immune-mediated disorders.

Research  has shown and now 1800 clinical cases have proven the tremendous benefits to be had from the regenerative and healing aspects of stem cell therapy in the relief from pain and return to normal function of our dogs crippled with arthritis.  At present we are only able to help our dogs but continuing research into feline regenerative medicine will hopefully indicate that we will be able to help these friends too.  Stem cells have been found in adult tissues with fat being an especially good site to retrieve these beneficial cells.  Even thin dogs will have adequate fat depots from which to procure the cells we need.  This tissue is sent to a special lab in the U.S.A. and then returned to us for injection into the affected joints.

Adding Stem Cell Therapy now to our Laser Therapy options really increases veterinary medicine’s success in fighting the debilitating effects of arthritis.  If you think your dog may be a candidate for laser or stem cell therapy give us a call and come in to see Dr. Teasdale with your questions.