Jake enjoys an active life again after stem cell therapy.
"At age 11 Jake enjoys a full, pain free life of running, playing ball and especially swimming. I believe the stem cell injections have prolonged his life as well as his functional status."
Douglas P. Stramel, DVM, CVPP, CVMA owner of Lewisville based Advanced Care Veterinary Services and a certified Pain Practitioner and Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist has been a firm believer in stem cell therapy for over six years and continues to prove its effectiveness in relieving his patients from the chronic suffering that osteoarthritis can create.
A recent patient, Jake, suffered from pain caused by chronic osteoarthritis in both hips. At the young age of seven months he had special surgery on both hips, but unfortunately by seven years old this Catahoula dog was showing severe suffering and lameness. He had problems getting up from a lying position, decreased activity, and was taking a long regimen of anti-inflammatory and pain medications to manage his discomfort. Jake’s range of motion in his back legs was very limited and when asked to move he would whimper in pain.
Jake’s owners had become increasingly concerned, “Jake wants to stay outside, he’s less interactive with the family, limps while taking walks, and doesn’t want to play ball.” Previously these activities were Jake’s favorite ways to pass time with his family. The pain had become so serious that Jake even hesitated to obey a “sit” command, only following with a whine and vocal protest. Jake’s owners feared they may have exhausted all therapies for their beloved pet, but were relentless in their search to help him.
They found their answer at Advanced Care Veterinary Services with Dr. Stramel. His recommendation of stem cell therapy seemed to have unrealistic expectations, but was worth a try. In a matter of 48 hours Jake started the process by having a small amount of fat collected from his side that would be shipped overnight to Vet-Stem’s labs in California. There, Jake’s fatty tissue would be processed to create small injectable doses of Jake’s own concentrated stem cells to be put directly into the joints that were causing him pain. Two days after Jake’s fat sample was collected he received a stem cell injection in each hip and a stem cell dose by IV.
Jake was able to start rehabilitation two weeks after his stem cell therapy where his range of motion increased as well as his willingness to be more active. It seemed stem cells were doing their job of decreasing pain and encouraging healing in Jake’s arthritic joints. Jake steadily improved and was able to discontinue rehabilitation at six weeks. He stopped taking daily medications at eight weeks, and was able to minimize his physical health regimen to a supplement that supported his joint cartilage and a fatty acid diet. Jake’s owners were very pleased with the progress, and could not believe his ability to play so aggressively that he wore the pads from his paws.
“His first stem cell injection was very successful. It allowed Jake to run, play ball and swim. In May 2013 we decided that due to his age, we should utilize the stem cells that were in storage. It is amazing how this has improved Jake’s functional ability. At age 11, Jake enjoys a full, pain-free life of running, playing ball and especially swimming. I believe the stem cell injections have prolonged his life as well as his functional status,” Jerry & Debbie testify to Jake’s improved quality of live.
Jake was able to live in comfort for years after his first stem cell therapy, only being treated a second time recently at a ripe age of 11 years old. His owners and Dr. Stramel are confident Jake has a few more good years left in him still.
“Jake’s response to the stem cells has dramatically improved his life and the life of his owners. He is one of many patients that we have treated and seen good success,” reports Dr. Stramel.