We have an opportunity
Thursday we went and saw a local vet to get information on Stem Cell Therapy. We are being told that it should stop Frankie from ever needing to have his hip replacement surgery. It's much less invasive. They actually take inactive stem cells from the dogs abdomen. Send them off to reactivate them and recharge them. Then 2 days later they inject them into the infected bone areas. Within 30 days there should be definate signs of improvement. There are 2 choices in which you can bank cells for 1-3 years( there not sure how long the cells will survive yet) So if needed they can be used. The vet said that there are no side effects other than what can happen with anesthia. (which I do know can be risky) There is really no down time afterwards, and it's much much less costly than hip replacement. It's been a very stressful few days trying to decide if we should go ahead with the procedure or not. Either it's the biggest crock or it's really a medical miracle for those of us who have dogs like this. Here is some information on one of the companies that would do the recharging of the cells. Medivet- America.com Would love to hear some feedback no matter what your thoughts on this are. Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
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| Don't know anything but if it's valid I think it would be wonderful. |
 this scenario sounds familiar!! I think I read about it being trialled in dogs and there being hope that it could be used in humans. But I'm not sure if it was to regenerate bone or cartilage. It sounds like this is to grow more bone, am I reading you correctly??Did your vet say how long it has been trialled for and give you any idea of success rates to date? If you go ahead with it can you still go back to the replacement option if it doesn't work and I can't imagine it's cheap even if cheaper than the replacement so could you still afford the replacement if it doesnt work. I will scrounge around my human medical info. and see what I can find but that may take me a couple of days, there's a bit of trawling involved. |
| I don't know what to say. Stem cell research is absolutely amazing stuff, and if this is legit, and you can afford it, then I say absolutely go for it. I just don't know enough about the process and the company involved to know if it's legit, someone trying to capitalize, etc. If you trust your vet, and it is for real, and you do decide to go for it, we're all rooting for you and Frankie here. How exciting. Good luck. |
| hi lisa, is frankie currently on any medications? |
| Yes we are very excited to maybe be involved in this. This might sound kind of strange but I started a savings account for Frankie when we found out about his problems over a year ago. So we have the money to do the replacements we just feel it's such an invasive surgery, and he has been through so much already and he's not yet 2. So yes if we do this I still will have enough money left to do whatever hip surgery we decide on if it doesn't work. I guess even if it bides us another year of pain free life. And to the guest that posted the only meds that Frankie is on are herbal pain relievers, all of the join supplements out there, and tramadol if needed not too often. He also goes to physical therapy 2x a week. Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
| I found this paper on the procedure you mentioned. It has some statistical limitations especially the fact that there are only 21 subjects and they excluded dogs with severe hip dysplasia which is a shame from Frankies perspective. Its from 2007 which is getting quite old in this field but any others I could find I needed to buy the journal. Your vet should be able to get more recent papers and explain them to you as the terminology and statistics don't make for an easy read. https://secure.vlsstore.com/Media/PublicationsArticle/VTX_08_04_272.pdf It seems to be a very promising area but hasn't been around long. I also saw that it is very popular with injured race horses but seemed to be more for tendon repair. In humans it has been used to repair cartilage in knee injuries but I think they use bone marrow stem cells. Please let us know what you decide and why. PS I would also ask about any and all possible negative complications and how they are resolved and at what cost. |
| If Oscar had poor Frankie's hip problems, I would seriously consider it as well. When weighing the risks, and possible rewards, as well as the invasiveness of hip replacements, it sounds like it's certainly worth a try. Please keep us posted on this, and how things go for you and Frankie. Laurie and Oscar |
| this may help answer some questions. actually, this technology has been used on humans and now is being used on dogs. http://www.medivet-america.com/ |
| Several years ago 6Girls posted about this: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17870&hilit=hip When 6Girls posted this, at that time our 7 year old sheepie had been recently diagnosed with hip dysplasia so I immediately took the info to our vet. The vet completely endorsed it and thought it was something that was going to be great. Coincidentally, that week she had been to some sort of seminar/meeting either with those folks or where it was discussed, I can't remember exactly. She was considering adding it to her practice. Had our sheepie Hannah not developed other extensive health problems we would have strongly considered this as an option for her. I would encourage you to look into it further. Having had two sheepdogs with hip dysplasia myself. I have found being open minded has greatly benefited my dogs, who are otherwise known as my children  Best of luck with whatever you decide to implement. |
| I can't recall any one who's tried it with an OES to date (not that that should matter) but I've heard a number of agility folks who have tried it and not a negative report among them. That's just anecdotal, but I've heard enough good things about it that I'd be inclined to seriously look into it if I was ever faced with a situation where it might be useful. Keep us posted, please! Kristine |
| I am not sure about stem cells and cartilage but Stem cell injections are the standard now for tendon tears in horses. You might want to contact your local university vet school. Cornell University does a lot with stem cells and they have excellent vets who specialize in joint disorders. I am inclined to think that it might be effective but results may be dependent on how bad the joint is to begin with as to how close to "normal" they can expect to achieve with the injections. They are always helpful at Cornell and vets do call back. |
| Lisa, I cannot offer any information on this, but PLEASE keep us posted on Frankie's progress. As you know Oliver also has severe hd. He just turned 4 in February. While he is doing fine on his current regiment, I know the day is coming that we will have to do something. I'm with you, a THR is so invasive, this opportunity sounds so interesting! |
| lisa, i like gail's suggestion to call cornell, they are terrific. there is very little downside to this procedure, other than it not taking. the stem cells are the animals own fixit kit and frankie may just get a miracle as i've seen in humans and animals. the tramadol is non-steroidal, so you're good to go there. keep us posted.  |
| There's a "famous" pitbull named Smokey that has his own facebook page. One of Smokey's dad's other pitties just had the procedure done. They have a chip in to help pay for it and he will be updating on her progress. Maybe it can offer you some insight? http://kerncountypups.chipin.com/abbys-stem-cell |
| we're actually saving up for this because Tony has HD too. It costs about same to replace a hip but definitely less invasive.. I was told to wait until Tony's hips are severe. How old is Frankie? saw this. |
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