由 Jeff Wang » 2012-07-22, 06:45
I don't know there are so many discussion regarding stem cell therapy in a few days. The following is a breif summary from one of our Dr. He reviews several reports and give me such a result.
Stem cell therapy is another treatment modality that can be used to help manage osteoarthritis (OA). It works by harvesting and growing stem cells from the animal's own tissue to be delivered to the site of injury. Theoretically, the stem cells can help with stimulate regeneration and repair the damaged tissue. There is still much that we don't know for sure about stem cell therapy as there is still a lot of ongoing research. Stem cell therapy is not a cure for OA, it is another medical management option. The goal of stem cell therapy is to provide anti-inflammatory effects, slow cartilage degeneration, and to promote healing of damaged tissue. The duration of effect can be variable from months to years. Additional stem cell treatments may be needed to maintain the improvement. Response to treatment can vary among individuals and are also dependent on the extent of OA in the individual patient. Many patients still need to be concurrently managed with other treatment modalities such as NSAIDs, dietary supplements, acupuncture, laser therapy, surgery etc. Stem cell therapy is still in its infancy and the initial studies look promising, however there are still a lot of questions that still need to be answered through continued research.
Vincent Lee, DVM
To me, it is one of the treatment. Not a cure. Just like the glucosamine. Before I told my clients in Taiwan it is working. I watched the result several years and make sure it is OK. I should say stem cell may be a treatment option. However, it didn't mean you don't have to forget the importance of other treatment. But, if we do several treatments together, how can we tell which one is really working. That is why they used a term "subjective improvement".
Here is another article from Angel Hospital which they are doing stem cell therapy.
Stem cell therapy has been used in equine cases since 2003, but is just beginning to gain acceptance as a treatment for canine OA(osteoarthritis). There are currently two studies in veterinary literature that show significant improvement in lameness in dogs wit hip and elbow OA following treatment wit stem cells. BOTH STUDIES WERE SPONSORED BY VET-STEM, INC., and both studies have limited numbers of cases, however, the results are promising.
Several patients have been injected with stem cells at Angel Animal Medical Center with subjective improvement seen. Surgical management such joint replacement is still the preferred treatment for animals tat have advanced OA or are no longer responsive to medical management. Stem cells provide an additional treatment modality for animals when joint replacement is not an option or if owners want to try a less invasive apporach prior to pursuing major surgery.
By Sue Casale, DVM DACVS
I didn't change a word from her article. If you are asking my opinion. I will try other medical treatment such glucosamine supplement, cold laser, adequin injection and acupuncture before go for stem cell therapy. This is just my personal view. I am not against any new thing, but I really cannot judge it at this moment. You should pay some attention on the cost and the procedure before you try in on your pet. I cannot make decision for you here.
Jeff
Oh, by the way, I won't believe the result of a study if it was sponsored by a related company. I talked to the members of this website before. Not just from now. I prefer third party studies.