The HSUS reported in 2012 that 62% of all American households included at least one furry child…either dog or cat. Specifically, about 84 million people have at least one dog and about 96 million have at least one cat. As anyone with a furry companion knows, these little creatures entwine themselves into our lives and become part of the family. As with humans, companion animals can also suffer from injuries, illness, and disease. Therefore, it is most advantageous that researches are also investigating and developing Stem Cell therapies for use in canines and felines. Likewise, Stem Cell Therapies are being investigated for use in other domestic species such as horses. All advances in stem cell research will be beneficial to ALL members of the Animal Kingdom — all Earthlings who share this planet.
If you scroll down, you will find some information about some of the current research trials going on looking a Stem Cell Therapies — using Adult Stem Cells (ASCs) — to deal with a wide range of health issues in dogs, cats, and horses. Stem Cell therapy research has certainly moved to the forefront in developing new ways to help our furry friends overcome some serious health problems. But, let’s be honest here — these therapies are expensive and if someone is considering Stem Cell Therapy, it means their four-legged companion is already suffering and deteriorating. In an ideal world, wouldn’t it be most helpful if you could add a nutritional supplement to your furry friend’s diet that would enhance their body’s own ability to create adult stem cells? This is exactly what Stem-Kine allows you to do for yourself and your human family members…it allows you to take charge of preventing problems from ever starting or help lessen the effects of issues already in existence. Further, because Stem-Kine is made from all natural plant-based ingredients, it is not harmful to our animal friends and can be used with confidence. Currently, there are many veterinarians using Stem Cell Nutrition on their own companions and their patients too. As more research studies become available on Stem Cell Nutrition in Companion Animals, we will update this page to reflect the findings.
RECENT ADVANCES IN STEM CELL RESEARCH FOR:
DOGS
Colorado, USA – March 2014 — Researchers in the CIRM in the Department of Clinical Sciences are evaluating new stem cell therapy based treatments for chronic and end-stage liver disease in dogs, with the ultimate goal of developing regenerative medicine approaches for liver disease in both humans and dogs. Investigations are also currently underway with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) for liver disease, in conjunction with investigators at the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Colorado Denver. A clinical trial is currently underway at the CIRM and the CSU VTH to evaluate the effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of dogs with chronic liver disease. The study will assess the safety and efficacy of a series of injections of MSC in dogs with biopsy confirmed liver disease.
Kentucky, USA – April 2013 — MediVet America, a local animal hospital in Kentucky, successfully treats arthritis in older dogs through Stem Cell Therapies. Jeremy Delk, MediVet’s chief executive officer, said that the therapy works because stem cells are the only cells in the body that have the ability to transform themselves into other types of specialized cells — such as cartilage — making them a potent tool for repairing damaged and deteriorating joints. In fact, there are 50 to 1,000 times more stem cells in the fat than bone marrow, a source that was more consistently used in animal – and human — stem cell therapy until the fat method started becoming more popular. “As we age, humans and animals alike, our stem cells are starting to die off so we have fewer. What we are able to do with these techniques is isolate the cells in very large numbers, wake them up and put them back into the area that needs help,” he explained. One of the things veterinarians and owners alike praise about the procedure is it can be completed in one day, and all at the vet’s office. Stem cells can also be banked for future injection so the animal does not have to endure extraction again. Studies funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and others have been promising. One study of more than 150 dogs found improvements in joint stiffness, mobility and other joint health indicators in nearly 95 percent of arthritic cases. In some patients, improvements were seen in as little as a week while others took up to 90 days and required multiple injections.
Winter 2007 — A study using adipose stem cells in treating arthritic dogs showed significant improvements in lameness and reducing pain after dogs were injected with stem cells from their own fat tissue. The research, published in the Winter 2007 issue of Veterinary Therapeutics, also referred to successful results using ASCs (Adult Stem Cells) to treat horses with joint disease and tendon and ligament injuries.
CATS
Colorado, USA – March 2014 — CIRM investigators are studying the effects of mesenchymal stem cells on the progression of chronic kidney disease in cats. The studies aim to determine whether MSC can slow the progression of kidney disease by suppressing inflammation in the kidneys and by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels. A clinical trial is currently underway to determine whether a series of IV injections of MSC is effective in improving kidney function in cats with chronic kidney disease.
Missouri, USA – March 2014 — Researchers at the University of Missouri (Reinero) are investigating whether IV infusions of mesenchymal stem cells can improve lung function and reduce inflammation in cats with allergen induced asthma.
HORSES
Edinburgh, Scotland – March 2014 — the journal Stem Cells and Development published the research that was carried out at The Roslin Institute by Dr. Ruchi Sharma and Dr Xavier Donadeu. Dr Donadeu said: “Stem cells hold huge therapeutic potential both for people and animals. Our research is an important step towards realising that potential for horses and provides an opportunity to validate stem-cell based therapies before clinical studies in humans.” In this study, the researchers took skin cells from a young horse and turned them into stem cells using a technique that was originally developed for human cells. The reprogrammed cells are pluripotent, which means they can be induced to become any type of cell in the body. The team used them to create nerve cells in the laboratory and tested whether they were functional by showing that they could transmit nerve signals. As a result, equines suffering from neurological conditions similar to those that affect humans could be helped by a breakthrough from this research as they are the first to create working nerve cells from horse stem cells. This advance may pave the way for cell therapies for horses that target conditions similar to motor neurone disease. Vets around the world are already using stem cell therapies to treat horses for other types of conditions. The efficacy of these treatments has not been completely proven and they use adult stem cells, which are harder to maintain and are more restricted in the types of cells that they can become. The approach is mostly used to treat tendon, ligament and joint problems. The advance by the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute will provide a powerful tool for those studying horse diseases. It will also help scientists to test new drugs and treatments.
Colorado, USA – March 2014 — Faculty in the Equine Orthopaedic Research Center are investigating the use of mesenchymal stem cells to stimulate cartilage and ligament healing and to enhance tissue healing following sports-related injuries in horses. Investigators in the EORC are studying the effects of joint injection with MSC transfected to over-express the equine IL-1Ra gene in order to suppress joint inflammation and stimulate cartilage healing, using experimental and clinical equine models.