Stem cell therapy is a new technique that offers hope for lame dogs and cats that have not responded to common treatments for arthritis. While surgical methods of obtaining and implanting stem cells are expensive and potentially dangerous, laser therapy is neither dangerous nor expensive.
What are stem cells?
Do you remember when you were young and dreamed you could do anything in life—well, stem cells actually have the potential to do almost anything. Stem cells are undeveloped cells that have the potential to become whatever type of cell that is needed. For example, inside joints they can become cartilage.
Where are stem cells?
There are stem cells throughout the body, even in the fat, but they are present in low concentration.
Stem cell harvesting and re-injecting
Several years ago, scientists found a way to harvest stem cells from fat cells (lipocytes). First the scientists harvested the fat by removing it from the belly or back. They placed the fat in a special centrifuge that was able to separate out the stem cells from the fat cells., The stem cells were Immediately stimulated to multiply, and within 24 hours were injected back into the body. Stem cells injected into the joints become cartilage and this new cartilage made the joints more comfortable. Thus, stem cell therapy became a treatment for arthritis.
Potential for harm
While scientists agree that stem cells have the potential to improve aging tissues, they also acknowledge that the steps involved in current techniques can cause harm.
1. Harm can be caused by anesthesia required to harvest the cells, especially when candidates for stem cell therapy are geriatric. The stem cell recipient requires two anesthetic procedures: one to harvest the fat and the second a day later to inject the stem cells directly into the joints.
2. Harm is also caused if injections introduce blood or bacteria into joints along with the stem cells. There has been an instance of a therapy dog who was so sore after stem cell implant that he required opoid drugs to control pain. I suspect the injection either instilled foreign material in the dog’s joints or the surgeon stretched the dog’s joints beyond normal range of motion. The therapy was done under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon. In the long run, I did not feel the benefit and cost was justified in this therapy dog. Nor did the family.
Other dogs I’ve known who have received stem cell therapy have done better than the therapy dog, however, not all have benefited. When I ask the pet’s parents months after the stem cell procedure if they would repeat it, many say no. Some say it was the cost, which usually runs $3,000-$5,000, didn’t justify the results. Others say the anesthetic took too much out of their pet.
At the same time, I’ve seen pet parents who feel even a small benefit justifies the risk. These folks say they would be willing to repeat the therapy in the future.
Laser therapy, an alternatives to surgically implanted stem cells
When lame pets come to me requesting help, I discuss stem cell therapy, pros and cons. If they ask, my opinion is that the surgical approach to this technique needs to be perfected before it should be widely recommended. And, new research suggests there may be an alternative—laser therapy.
Research published in the Journal of Photochemistry & Photobiology Feb 7, 2011, showed that we can increase stem cells in planarians (worm) with commercial 5mm light emitting diodes (~1.0 mW/m(2) in power density and ~0.01 J/cm(2) in radiant exposure). The increase in stem cells was noted within 4 days of laser therapy. If photobiostimulation of stem cells by soft lasers is as effective in vertebrates as in the invertebrate planaria, then laser therapy may be great method to help dogs & cats with arthritis.
For the original research, look in PubMed for “Increased mobility and stem-cell proliferation rate in Dugesia tigrina ind uced by 880nm light emitting diode. Authors were Wu HP and Persinger MA from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
Holistic Veterinarians Provide Laser Therapy
If you have an arthritic dog or cat, don’t let it suffer. Ask your holistic veterinarian to provide Adequan, Missing Link with glucosamine, acupuncture and laser therapy.
Among the pets I've treated with laser therapy, I've seen most have immediate relief of pain. I've been treating these dogs and cats for disc herniation, neck injury, ACL injury, and arthritis. Since becoming familiar with potential for lasers to stimulate stem cells, I'll also look for long-term benefit as a result of increased stem cells.
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