| Traumatic and degenerative diseases such as bowed | | | | embryonic stem cells, adult cells derived from adipose |
| tendons, ligament injuries, osteochondral defects or | | | | tissue is not a subject for such a debate. |
| osteoarthritis can be now treated by regenerative | | | | Stem cells are injected into the problem areas of the |
| medicine that uses adult stem-cells. Regenerative | | | | pet, such as knees, hips or other joints or |
| medicine is not new although it is still in its infancy. | | | | intravenously and they start to repair any damage. |
| Stem cell use in veterinary medicine has proven to be | | | | Patients can come back the same day after |
| successful and ongoing clinical trials continue to offer | | | | undergoing this procedure. |
| evidence of its benefits. | | | | Dogs that have undergone such procedures seem to |
| Stem cells can differentiate into all kinds of tissues, | | | | be like puppies again, going back to normal activities |
| be they tendon, ligament, cartilage or bone. Cardiac, | | | | which they couldn't perform because of illnesses. |
| muscle, nerve or blood vessel tissue can also be | | | | Some dogs did not need medicine they were |
| obtained, together with fat or liver. | | | | dependent on. |
| Regenerative cells can be derived from bone marrow | | | | The alternative veterinary medicine is booming with |
| or from adipose tissue. Adipose derived cells are | | | | acupuncture, chiropractic or aquatic therapies offered |
| more readily available, can be collected in greater | | | | to pet owners that are willing to spend an increasing |
| concentrations and can differentiate into bone, | | | | amount of money on the health of their pet. |
| cartilage or cardiac cells. Both bone marrow and | | | | Veterinaries are taking courses in herbal and food |
| adipose derived stem cells can limit inflammatory | | | | therapy and some of them end up quitting traditional |
| reactions. | | | | medicine approach. The more progressive veterinary |
| Use of regenerative cells is more beneficial than | | | | therapies have been inspired by health care diversity |
| traditional medicine for a variety of reasons. The cell | | | | for humans. |
| mixture can be delivered to the wound, for example | | | | However, the stem cell therapy is a progressive |
| to a fracture, or systemically in case of liver disease | | | | method that is not yet allowed for humans. FDA has |
| or renal disease. | | | | approved such treatments for bone fractures, |
| Regenerative cells can induce repair and stimulate | | | | arthritis or problems of ligaments and tendons in |
| regeneration, such cells communicate with other cells | | | | animals. Fat tissue derived stem cells are not |
| in their environment and create optimal conditions for | | | | approved for human use yet. Stem cell treatment is |
| natural healing. | | | | being tested for use with kidney disease in cats and |
| While with traditional medicine, one drug is used to | | | | liver disease in dogs. |
| target one receptor, regenerative medicine can be | | | | The price is rather high, ranging between $2,000 and |
| applied to a wide variety of diseases. The body will | | | | $4,000 but compared with hip-replacement surgery |
| not have adverse reactions, as no foreign tissue is | | | | for dogs it is much lower. But pet owners seem to |
| involved. While there is moral debate on use of | | | | be willing to pay for the best care for their pet. |