Helping Pets Heal Themselves!
Adult Stem Cell Therapy is a new innovative treatment option for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia or other joint related issues. Patients can be treated on an outpatient basis with their own stem cells collected, processed and administered the same day. Not only does Advanced Cellular Therapies reduce pain and inflammation but it also restores quality of life and range of motion and regenerates tendons, ligaments and joint tissue.
“Utilizing Adult Stem Cells is the wave of the future” says Zoran Djordjevich, DVM of Mohnacky Animal Hospital of Carlsbad, who has successfully treated numerous patients with great results. Owners are reporting their pets have made tremendous improvement and are enjoying a more active lifestyle. Dr “George” is currently using stem cells to enhance his advanced Canine Total Hip Replacement implant surgery as well, promoting faster healing in these patients. To find out more on how stem cell therapy can help your pet call us today!
What is Advanced Cellular Therapy?
Advanced Cellular Therapy is a procedure that harnesses the body’s innate regenerative and healing processes to treat diseases. The procedure at Mohnacky Animal Hospital uses adult stem cells isolated from your pet’s fat tissue, a rich source of stem cells. Studies have shown that these stem cells can develop into many different types of cells and tissues, including cartilage and bone. They also secrete many biological factors that promote healing. In a stem cell procedure, cells are isolated from a small amount of fat and then injected at the site of injury or disease. Cells are often given intravenously as well since stem cells have the ability to home to sites of injury and inflammation. In the treatment of osteoarthritis in joints, for example, stem cells can generate new cartilage and bone plus secrete potent anti-inflammatory factors, thereby replacing lost or damaged tissues, reducing pain, and increasing mobility.
What is so different about Advanced Cellular Therapy?
Advanced Cellular Therapy uses the body’s own regenerative cells and the myriad of proteins (cytokines, growth factors) they produce to help the patient heal itself naturally. Stem cells treat the source of the problem by repairing damaged tissue and/or halting the disease process. Other medical treatments, such as NSAIDS, generally address just the symptoms. With the advanced protocol used at Mohnacky Animal Hospital, over 95% of animals treated for osteoarthritis show significant improvement.
Is it safe?
Advanced Cellular Therapy is considered quite safe. It uses the animal’s own stem cells so there is no risk of rejection. Minor surgery under anesthesia is required to collect the fat tissue. On a dog, this surgery is simpler than a spay, and is completed in about 20 minutes.
What happens to my pet when it comes in for Advanced Cellular Therapy?
First, a small amount of blood is collected to make platelet-rich plasma (PRP, to be mixed with the cells). Then, under general anesthesia, a small incision is made, generally in the abdomen, and about 20 grams or 2 tablespoons of fat is harvested. The incision is then closed and your pet placed in recovery while the fat sample is processed to isolate the cells. After about 3 hours, the cells in PRP are ready for administration. The cells are injected locally (e.g., into a joint) and/or intravenously. For joint injections the patient is briefly sedated. That completes the procedure and your pet can be picked up the same day.
What is the recovery period, and how long does it take to see results?
Your veterinarian will provide guidance tailored for your pet’s condition. Some patients may experience inflammation and stiffness in injected joints for 1-3 days following injection. Often patients show increased vitality within days due to the potent anti-inflammatory effects, so your pet should be kept leash-restrained for the first 10 days to avoid strenuous activity that could cause injury or re-injury. Stem cells will continue to repair tissues over weeks to months, and it also takes time for the animal to rebuild the muscular support lost from previous inactivity.
What conditions do you treat?
The most common conditions treated are degenerative joint disease (such as osteoarthritis associated with hip and elbow dysplasia), ligament and tendon injuries, and fractures. Advanced Cellular Therapy is often used in conjunction with surgery (e.g., cruciate ligament repair) to accelerate healing and improve the bio-mechanical strength and flexibility of the repaired tissue.
Other conditions for which there is promising but limited clinical experience can be treated under “compassionate use”. Some of those conditions are: degenerative myelopathy, chronic renal disease, atopy, inflammatory bowel disease, liver diseases, and feline gingivitis. Please speak with your vet if you have questions about any of these conditions.
How long does a treatment last? What happens if my pet starts having trouble again?
With osteoarthritis, typically about 1-3 years of relief is observed after the initial treatment. Some animals never need re-treatment. Re-treatment, if needed, can be performed with a repeat procedure or by using cells that were banked from the first procedure.
Are there any animals that you don’t treat?
Yes. Animals with cancer or active infections are generally ineligible for treatment as there is some concern that treatment might worsen these conditions.