Stem Cell Procedure: How We Get it Done
By Russ Schirmer
Apr 11, 2015
Stem cell implantation: what exactly is it? Some pet owners may initially be unsure about stem cell procedures and what they entail, but at our animal hospital in McKinney, TX, we've found that pet owners usually opt for the procedure once they understand how safe and effective it is.
Stem cell implantation is currently recommended in animals for osteoarthritic conditions (most notably hip dysplasia) and disorders involving tendons and ligaments (most commonly partial tears of the cranial cruciate ligaments).
Studies are underway to assess feasibility of treating a host of other conditions including renal and liver diseases, autoimmune disorders, and chronic allergic dermatoses. …show more content…
A physical examination and a blood profile are done to search out the presence of coincidental disease that must be addressed before implantation. We also take chest radiographs to search for any evidence of metastatic cancer in the lung tissue.
Having completed our examinations and found the patient a suitable candidate for stem cell treatment, the next step is resecting fat tissue to submit for stem cell harvesting. There are several sites on the body to obtain fat tissue, including the falciform ligament, greater omentum (a lace-like tissue that encompasses the intestines), bone marrow, a region just behind the shoulder blades, and from the inguinal area between the upper rear legs and body wall.
The falciform ligament is the most favored source of fat; it usually provides abundant samples that yield the greatest numbers of cells. This is located on the midline just forward of where a spay incision is located. The procedure requires general anesthesia and involves an approximately 3-inch incision. Since this gives us access to the abdominal cavity, we're able to remove some greater omentum in those patients (usually very small dogs or cats) that have insufficient fat deposits in the falciform
By Russ Schirmer
Apr 11, 2015
Stem cell implantation: what exactly is it? Some pet owners may initially be unsure about stem cell procedures and what they entail, but at our animal hospital in McKinney, TX, we've found that pet owners usually opt for the procedure once they understand how safe and effective it is.
Stem cell implantation is currently recommended in animals for osteoarthritic conditions (most notably hip dysplasia) and disorders involving tendons and ligaments (most commonly partial tears of the cranial cruciate ligaments).
Studies are underway to assess feasibility of treating a host of other conditions including renal and liver diseases, autoimmune disorders, and chronic allergic dermatoses. …show more content…
A physical examination and a blood profile are done to search out the presence of coincidental disease that must be addressed before implantation. We also take chest radiographs to search for any evidence of metastatic cancer in the lung tissue.
Having completed our examinations and found the patient a suitable candidate for stem cell treatment, the next step is resecting fat tissue to submit for stem cell harvesting. There are several sites on the body to obtain fat tissue, including the falciform ligament, greater omentum (a lace-like tissue that encompasses the intestines), bone marrow, a region just behind the shoulder blades, and from the inguinal area between the upper rear legs and body wall.
The falciform ligament is the most favored source of fat; it usually provides abundant samples that yield the greatest numbers of cells. This is located on the midline just forward of where a spay incision is located. The procedure requires general anesthesia and involves an approximately 3-inch incision. Since this gives us access to the abdominal cavity, we're able to remove some greater omentum in those patients (usually very small dogs or cats) that have insufficient fat deposits in the falciform