Island Animal Hospital Offers Stem Cell Therapy – Beachside Resident

No one wants surgery. Dr. Jeffrey Christianson is participating in a study that may provide relief for injured or immune-disordered pets without incisions.

Stem cells can morph into any type of cell needed. The cells are harvested from the animals fat, processed, and reinjected into the pet. These one-size-fits-all cells can be used to replace joint tissue, bone, or other tissues that have worn away or become injured.

Stem cell therapy is a branch of Restorative Medicine helping sick animals restore and improve function. Veterinary medicine has been utilizing Autologous (stem cells from the pet) therapy for well over a decade. It helps animals with arthritis, injuries, inflammatory bowel disease, and other immune-mediated disorders rehabilitate or regain some function.

Dr. Christiansons newest project is a research study to analyze the use of Allogeneic cells (cells from donor pets) in therapy. The clinic is taking part in a double-blinded placebo controlled research study. Half of the patients just get a saline control solution injected into the joint as opposed to a stem cell therapy. He will monitor the results over a six-month period. He wont know until the end of the study who got the control. Some of the pets get a stem cell treatment for free. We do blood work and x-rays, and its all covered by the study.

Its unknown if Allogeneic stem cell therapy is as safe and effective as Autologous therapy. Dr. Christianson noted, The goal of the study is that sick pets could receive stem cell therapy without the pain and discomfort of surgery.

Sick and injured animals recuperating at the Island Animal Clinic have a goodwill ambassador to their lift their spirits. Dr. Ballards dog, Jiminy Cricket (Jim) is a daily visitor. Jim was an injured client. Practice Manager Holly Davis explains, He came in with two broken legs, and it was too much for his owner to handle. Jim was in two casts for months and needed round-the-clock care. Jim now goes to work daily with Dr. Ballard. He runs around the hallways when Dr. Ballard is on break, providing comic relief for recuperating pet patients.

Veterinary medical discoveries are providing a better quality of life and extending the lives of our furry friends. Its exciting that a local animal hospital is at the forefront of these emerging trends. Its also comforting to know recovering pets have Jim for inspiration.

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Island Animal Hospital Offers Stem Cell Therapy - Beachside Resident