Recently two dogs Cowboy and Mr. Jones were treated with stem cells for server arthritis and ligament damage as reported by ABCNews. The two dogs could barely walk or move for months. The owner of the two dogs, Brad Perry, felt so bad for them at one point that he almost put the two dogs down to end their misery until he was told about a veterinarian in his area who preformed stem cell treatments on animals. With the medication the dogs were previously on killing their livers and not wanting to put the dogs down Mr. Perry decided to go to the treatment center.
Stem Cell treatment works by first taking some of the dogs fat cells from the abdomen or shoulder area and placing them into a centrifuge where the stem cells can be separated out. Once the cells are recovered from the centrifuge an enzyme is added to make sure any left over fat or tissue is eliminated. Once all the excess fat and tissue is removed by the enzymes the cells are then reactivated by placing them with plasma rich platelets and mixing them together. The plasma was taken from the dogs blood earlier so it could be ready once the stem cells were separated out. The newly formed mixture is then left out under an LED light for 20 minutes to further insure that the stem cells and blood mixed together. After the LED light the stem cells and plasmids are then injected directly into the affected area and ligaments. The procedure is effective because stem cells are the only cells in organisms that can transform themselves into specialized cells, in this case new cartilage and ligaments.
There are two different types of stem cell embryonic and somatic. Most people just assume that stems cells just come from embryo's and think that it is wrong, but they also can come in adult form, somatic, as well. The somatic stem cells are found in multiple place but the most common way to extract them is through bone marrow or in the case of the two dogs fat cells. The only problem with the somatic stem cells is they can only produce parts of organs and other things but not the whole organ, whereas they embryonic cells can. Which is also why they are used in cases of torn ligaments and arthritis like in the two dogs.
Both procedures were a success and Brad Perry the owner stated, "10 days after the procedure both dogs were like puppies again, chasing his kids, running around in the park, and swimming in the lake. Only hopeful working is going on here as this is still experimental, but hopefully one day it could help us all.
http://www.medivet-america.com/
I think this is phenomenal that people will do anything for their pets. Since I want to be a veterinarian I find all the animal article very interesting. One day I want to be able to cure a dog of arthritis. It is very upsetting to hear that a dog is in pain, limping, ad struggling to walk. The average cost for stem cell treatment is roughly $2,500. So, I think the guy Brad Perry is great for willing to spend that much on a dog. The technology we have today is also great because we are able to make a weak dog act like a puppy again. Not only is there stem cell treatment for arthritis in dogs, there is stem cell treatment to repair spinal cords of paralyzed dogs. In an article, scientists, have used a special cell to regenerate damaged parts of dogs' spines. Not only is this treatment beneficial to dogs, it can also help humans in the future with similar spine injuries. This study included thirty-four dogs that all suffered critical spinal injurys. One group in the study received Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (OEC), which have the ability to support nerve fiber growth that preserves a pathway between the nose and the brain. They received this cell from the lining of their own nose injected into the injured area. The other group of dogs were injected with only the liquid in which the cells were transplanted. These dogs were returned back to their owners and were tested every month for neurological function and to have their walking manner assessed on a treadmill while being supported on a harness. The scientist just wanted to if the dogs could coordinate the movement of their front and hind legs. The result was the dogs that received the OEC injection had significant improvement that was not present in the other group. I think it is great that we have technology for dogs to cure almost any procedure, just like humans.
ReplyDeleteWe have been waiting a long time for this kind of development. There is so much more that can be done for dogs, cats and humans! I understand that there are some ethical issues that must be dealt with but just think of spinal injuries being repaired and genetic repairs with stem cells.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this experiment was done in the US or off shore. It seems that we, here is the US, have an aversion to stem cell research. Some of it is based on religion and some on money. I can only hope that this type of research can continue and that in the future humans can also be helped.
Thanks from David Freeman