VCA Bay Area Veterinary Specialty Seeks Candidates for an Investigational Study of Stem Cells for Dogs with Arthritis

(PRWEB) September 04, 2014

Local veterinarian, Dr. Kim Carlson, and her team at VCA Bay Area Veterinary Specialty in San Leandro, California are seeking candidates to participate in an investigational study of donor stem cells for dogs with osteoarthritis. The goal of this study is to determine if a single injection of donor stem cells into one or two arthritically affected joints can help reduce pain and inflammation in the treated joints.

The most common type of canine arthritis is degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis, affecting one out of five adult dogs in the United Sates (Canine Health Foundation, 2011). Because it is a degenerative disease, osteoarthritis continues to get worse as time goes on. The veterinary industry suggests the number of dogs being diagnosed increases each year, with many of their owners turning to anti-inflammatory and pain medications as an answer. Dr. Carlson and her team at VCA Bay Area Veterinary Specialty believe a regenerative alternative method for dogs with osteoarthritis might be of great value to many patients.

Candidates for the current investigational study must be older than nine months, weigh more than five and a half pounds, have osteoarthritis of only one or two leg joints, have had pain or lameness for at least three months, and must not have cancer. Joints that will be included in the study and injected under anesthesia include hips, stifles, shoulders, and elbows. Dogs that may be considered must be in good health and undergo a full diagnostic work up before qualifying for the study. Dogs that qualify for the study may not have had previous stem cell therapy of any kind.

Dr. Carlsons clinical interests are in utilizing minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat her patients using state-of-the-art technology. Stem cell therapy with a patients own stem cells is used extensively in her practice. For information about the study, Dr. Carlson or Sandy Tang can be reached at 510-483-7387.

About Vet-Stem, Inc. Since its formation in 2002, Vet-Stem, Inc. has endeavored to improve the lives of animals through regenerative medicine. As the first company in the United States to provide an adipose-derived stem cell service to veterinarians for their patients, Vet-Stem pioneered the use of regenerative stem cells for horses, dogs, and cats. In 2004 the first horse was treated with Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell Therapy. Ten years later Vet-Stem celebrated its 10,000th animal treated. As animal advocates, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and cell biologists, the team at Vet-Stem tasks themselves with the responsibility of discovering, refining, and bringing to market innovative medical therapies that utilize the bodys own healing and regenerative cells.

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VCA Bay Area Veterinary Specialty Seeks Candidates for an Investigational Study of Stem Cells for Dogs with Arthritis