Regenerative Medicine (Stem Cell Techonolgy)

Regenerative medicine is a way of treating severe chronic debilitating disease without conventional medications that cause side effects and complications. In humans, dogs, and horses it is being used mostly at this point to treat damaged joints, but ongoing research is actively being done to put it to use for liver, heart, and other severe, chronic diseases. Regenerative medicine while in its infancy is not new. It utilizes the body’s own cells to treat damaged areas. In instances where medicine is no longer taking away pain or helping with mobility, regenerative medicine can often restore function and take away pain without using drugs or other side effect producing modalities.

Regenerative medicine utilizes autologous adult stem cells from adipose tissue to treat traumatic and degenerative diseases, including tendon and ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, and osteochondral defects in dogs and horses. Autologous cells means that fat is removed sterilely from the dog and stem cells are collected and then injected back into the same dog. Because we are using the dog’s own cells there is no worry about rejection or reaction.

Stem cells are multipotent cells that can differentiate into bone, cartilage, cardiac, nerve, muscle, blood vessels, fat, and liver tissue. Regenerative cells can differentiate into many tissue types, induce repair, and stimulate regeneration. These cells can communicate with the cells of the local area creating the optimal environment for natural healing. Regenerative cells produce a variety of both secreted and cell surface substances that regulate tissue growth, integrity, and function. These cells also direct local anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation factors to the injured area. By healing and regenerating tissue, scar tissue is decreased and not formed and function improves at the targeted site.

This process involves correctly diagnosing and identifying the sources of pain and/or loss of mobility. A simple surgery is performed to remove some of the dog’s own fat cells. These cells are then sent to Vet-Stem Laboratory overnight and there the stem cells are collected and treated and then sent back overnight to be administered to the dog. Most procedures require single injections into the damaged joints. Cells can also be used in poor healing bone fractures and painful developmental abnormalities. Cells can also be saved and stored if additional treatments are needed at a later time.