Regenerative Medicine at Beechwood Animal Hospital
What is Regenerative Medicine? “You are ALIVE because you continuously renew (rejuvenate) various tissues/organs. In every tissue in which this rejuvenation process occurs, a source exists which gives rise to these differentiated cells. The source is called a STEMCELL. ”
- Arnold Caplan, PhD
Case Western Reserve University
What is it?
It is a treatment modality that could be used on a variety of illnesses in pets. Currently the primary use in small animals is treatment for arthritis and ligament injuries. More specifically; Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Stifle Arthritis mostly associated with anterior cruciate ligament tears, polyarthritis, any joint arthritis, Achilles tendon rupture.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells are collected from Fat. They are processed to get injectable stem cells in a stromal vascular fraction (SVF) that contains a number of helper cells along with stem cells. The syringes of SVF are injected inside the affected joints and one intravenously. The SVF contains 63% regenerative cells, 35% of which are stem cells.
Inside the joint the stem cells have multiple actions.
1. They have the ability to grow or change into bone (cartilage- demineralized bone), muscle and ligament cells to replace lost cells and heal damaged areas.
2. The stem cells have been called ‘perfectly choreographed pharmaceutical factories’. They produce anti-inflammatory chemicals that respond specifically to the inflammatory chemicals produced in these sore, painful joints.
3. Stem cells have the ability to zoom in or home in (homing properties) on problem areas in the body. Given intravenously they will travel to areas that are in need of help, similar to white blood cells that fight inflammation or infection in the body.
Feel free to call and book an appointment with our stem cell veterinarian if this interests you.
If you have a young dog, think of collecting his/her young healthy numerous stem cells at a young age. If you are a client of Beechwood A.H. then go to the client only section for videos and more client specific information.
