Since 2003, Stem Cells have been utilized by small and large animal Veterinarians for the treatment of orthopedic cases. Traditional services provided a mail in program whereas cells could be processed and sent back to the practitioner for reintroduction to the patient.

With improved on-site technology we are now able to offer an in-clinic system that allows for a same day stem cell harvest and application to the patient so that your pet only has to stay at the hospital for the day. This eliminates the variability in outside shipping of the sample, dramatically reduces the costs of the treatment and allows for the best in viability eliminating the potential of cell death. We are also able to freeze stem cells and bank them for future use so that the patient only has to have stem cells harvested once.

Stem cells are the body’s repair cells. They have the potential to divide and differentiate into many different types of cells. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into tissues such as skin, fat, muscle, bone, cartilage, and nerve to name a few.

Why Use Stem Cells From Adipose (Fat) Tissue?

Adult stem cells differ from embryonic stem cells in that they are much safer (no risk of developing into tumors) and there are no moral and ethical concerns with harvesting cells from adipose tissue (fat). Adult stem cells are highly concentrated in adipose tissue and fat is also readily available in large quantities and easily accessible. The collection technique is less invasive than a spay surgery and the cells are very easy to obtain. Stem cells are extracted from the fat among a mixture of cells termed the Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF).The SVF is rich in complementary cells and bioactive peptides that contribute to cell proliferation and tissue regeneration, and also imparts anti-inflammatory effects.

Stem Cell Banking:

Douglas Animal Hospital is also able to cryogenically bank your pet’s stem cells. This provides the opportunity to repeat stem cell injections using first generation adipose‐derived stem cells so that pets can benefit from ongoing stem cell therapy without repeating the process of harvesting adipose tissue. Banking is an option for any patient coming in for stem cell therapy and is especially useful when stem cells are being used to treat recurring conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Medivet Stem Cell Faq

What is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cells are powerful healing cells in your body that can become other types of cells.  There are many adult stem cells in fat tissue, however they are asleep.  Stem cell therapy allows your vet to isolate stem cells from an animal’s own fat tissue, wake them up, and re-introduce the healing cells into the areas of need.

What is the benefit of Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cells treat the source of the problem by offering the ability to become new tissue to replace damaged tissue.  Other treatments, such as NSAIDs, merely attempt to reduce symptoms.  The treatment is very low risk, because it uses the animal’s own stem cells.  It offers an all-natural alternative to drugs and steroids.  In a recent randomized sampling of 155 canines sufferings from osteoarthritis > 95% showed improvements as reported by the treating veterinarians. 

How long has this been available?

Stem cell therapy for animals has been commercially available since 2004.  MediVet was the pioneer in offering to the Veterinarian industry same day, onsite treatments and has to date completed over 10,000 treatments globally.

What is Activation, and why is it important?

MediVet has a patented technology in which your animal’s stem cells will be activated with Platelet Rich Plasma (from a blood sample) and photobiostimulation (light).This dual activation process provides an increase in metabolic rate thus giving the cells the highest potential to survive once placed in the environment (your animal) and potential repair.

Is it safe?

Yes, this procedure is very safe.  On a typical dog, this is easier than a spay surgery, and the fat is collected in about 15 minutes by your vet.  Processing the sample is done carefully by a registered veterinary technician who has been trained by a Medivet representative.  In the thousands of animals treated, we have not observed any negative side-effects from stem cell therapy.

What happens to my pet when they come in for stem cell therapy? 

First, your vet will put your pet under general anesthetic.  Then, he/she will make a small incision and collect 2-4 tablespoons of fat from the abdomen. Then a trained technician will process the sample, right in the clinic, using MediVet equipment. The sample is activated then introduced to the patient.  The patient can then go home, same day.

What is the recovery period, and how long does it take to see results?

We recommend that the patient be kept quiet for the first 10 days.  Then, while they may feel a lot better, you will need to be careful so your pet doesn’t injure themselves until they build up some of their muscles.  Swimming and walking in water is great therapy.  We typically see improvement starting after 3 weeks, and then continuing up to around 2 months.

What conditions do you treat?

Our typical patient has osteoarthritis (hip dysplasia, degenerative joint disease, calcifications, common degeneration and inflammation), soft tissue injuries (cruciate injuries, tears, ruptures, Inflammation), or needs accelerated healing of fractures.  If your animal is suffering from something different such as Atopic Dermatitis or Inflammatory Bowel Disease and has not responded to any conventional treatment your vet may consult a Medivet team in order to consider stem cell as a treatment option compassionately.

How long does a treatment last? What happens if my pet starts having trouble again?

We typically see about 1-4 years of relief after the initial treatment.  Most pet owners choose to bank cells, so retreatment is easy.  MediVet has a banking facility in Kentucky where stem cell samples are stored.  If symptoms return, your vet merely requests a dose of cells from the bank, and re-introduces the cells.  No surgery is necessary.