CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE HEALTH OF YOUR PET You may have seen news articles on football star Peyton Manning, Yankees pitcher Bartolo Colon and other sports athletes who have undergone adult stem cell therapy (ASCT). Their results are phenomenal. ASCT works just as well on pets—the technology has been around for several years, but was prohibitively costly for many until now. Dr. Jane Barber and her team at Veterinary Specialties Hospital at the Lake (www.VeterinarySpecialtiesAtTheLake.com) are now offering affordable, same day, in-hospital ASCT for dogs and cats. What is adult stem cell therapy? Stem cells are the body’s repair cells. They have the ability to divide and differentiate into many different types of cells based on where they are needed throughout the body. Stem cells can divide and turn into tissues such as skin, fat, muscle, bone, cartilage, and nerve. They even possess the ability to replicate into organs such as the heart, liver, intestines, and pancreas. ASCT does not use embryonic stem cells. What can Veterinary Specialties do with the stem cells? Adult stem cells are capable of dividing into many different cell types and can be used to repair many types of tissues. ASCT is particularly effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease. As with people, osteoarthritis robs our pets of the ability to do the things they love. With ASCT, your pet’s own cells help slow and/or repair the diseased tissues. After ASCT, most patients with osteoarthritis are able to significantly reduce or completely stop the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medication. Patients have substantial improvement in their range of motion, activity, and quality of life. ASCT results in significant improvement in cats that have stomatitis, a painful and debilitatingndisease, making it possible for them to get off of steroid medications. ASCT is also used to treat a variety of chronic skin conditions. Ongoing research, targeting other diseases, is very promising.

What makes Veterinary Specialties' technology better?

Veterinary Specialties has partnered with MediVet-America (www.MediVet-America.com), the world’s leading animal stem cell research company, to bring this technology to the Carolinas. Adult stem cells, harvested from your senior pet, can give them back the quality of life that they deserve.  Harvested stem cells can also be cryobanked for use at a later date. In performance animals, stems cells are often harvested when the animal is young, is a prime anesthetic candidate, and the highest yield of stem cells can be obtained. A perfect time for younger pets to have stem cells harvested is when they are already undergoing anesthesia for their spay or neuter procedures.

What does ASCT entail?

While your pet is under anesthesia, Dr. Barber surgically removes a couple tablespoons of fat. This is a quick and simple procedure. Technicians then process the fat to harvest the stem cells, which takes a couple of hours. Concentrated stem cells are then administered into the patient’s target areas to be treated or they are cryobanked.

When will I see results?

While we know every animal is different and there are no guarantees, clinical improvement is seen in 95% of arthritis cases nationwide. Some owners have even reported seeing a difference within a week! While quick results are possible, you should expect to see improvement within the first 90 days following treatment. Severe arthritis may require multiple injections, so banking extra cells is always a good idea.

Is this procedure safe?

As with any procedure that involves anesthesia, there is always a risk. However, the stem cells are harvested from your pet and are re-administered back into your pet, so there is no risk of an anaphylactic or allergic reaction. Rarely, injection site reactions will occur; they are usually not serious and typically subside within a day or two.

How do I get started?

Call 828.478.3500 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Barber at Veterinary Specialties hospital at the lake. She and her team of caring professionals will consult with you on the best Adult Stem Cell Therapy options for your pet.

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