Regenerative cells promote healing and regeneration of injured or damaged tissue. Stem cells are regenerative cells that can differentiate into multiple cell types to form new functional tissue. Regenerative cell also secrete factors that reduce autoimmune responses and inflammation, promote cell survival, and stimulate tissue regeneration by increasing blood flow to the injected area. Stem cells are able to differentiate between various types of tissue including organs, nerves, cartilage and fat. Stem cells are naturally occurring and lay dormant until they are needed to regenerate tissue. Research done over the last decade has shown remarkable results with the use of stem cell therapy in treating osteoarthritis, as well as aiding in the recovery of dogs that have undergone an orthopedic surgical procedure. The procedure is completed under general anesthesia, and utilizes a small sample of your dog or cats abdominal adipose (fat) tissue or reproductive organs such as the ovaries or testicles.
Your pets’ fat sample is sent off to a lab located in Southern California that will culture, clone and store your pet’s stem cells for future use without having to undergo further surgery for fat harvesting. There is an annual fee for storage due each year to the lab. The initial process can take anywhere from 3-6 weeks. A FREE injection of PRP (if applicable) is given at the time of fat collection while your pets’ sample is processing at the lab. You will be notified by mail from the lab on the number of injections that are available for use. A dose will be kept on retention to clone at a later date (fee will apply) if all of your pet’s stem cells are used.
Regardless if you choose to continue stem cell therapy with us or another facility, these stem cells are yours. We do NOT own the rights to your pet’s cells after they are successfully processed. You are free to send them to another facility that works with the lab.
After the initial procedure, we will need a minimum of 48 hours notice so that we can request the sample from the lab. Stem cell injections cannot be performed on Monday’s as the lab is closed over the weekend. The cells are sent Priority FedEx Overnight.
What Are The Prices?
Because we work out of several dozen facilities in the Puget Sound Area, we are unable to provide verbal estimates over the phone. This is because we do not own the actually facilities that we may meet you and your pet at, therefore we have no influence over pricing. Typically, the initial stem cell collection procedure ranges from $3,000-$4,500. This price DOES include a FREE injection of PRP (if applicable) but does NOT include the cost of future stem cell injections. Each stem cell injection typically ranges from $800-$1,200. As of March 2018, the annual storage fee for your pets stem cells is $203. This is subject to change and is influenced by the stem cell lab. We do NOT handle annual storage fees.
How many stem cell injections has Dr. Mayo performed?
While we do not have a firm number, we guesstimate the total being around 1,500.
What is the infection rate?
Whenever a needle enters the body, there is always risk for infection. That being said, we take any and every precaution to ensure this does not happen to your pet. The injection site is prepped aseptically and approached with sterility. To date, we have had NO confirmed cases of infection.
What do I do with the cells when my pet passes away?
During this difficult time, we ask that you shoot us an email at consultwithmayodvm@gmail.com to let us know that your beloved pet has crossed the rainbow bridge. We will call the lab on your behalf. Your options include: destroying/discarding the cells or, donating the remaining injections to research. Though, research is what fuels the healthcare industry, it is completely up to you on what you would like the lab to do with them.
What should I and my pet expect after each injection?
Please head on over to our information page to learn more.
Are all animals with suitable candidates for Stem Cell Therapy?
No. All patients must undergo a thorough screening process for suitability. This generally involves a mandatory examination with Dr. Mayo, X-Rays of the affected joints, abdominal and chest area (to rule out tumors) as well as blood tests (to rule out any other underlying disease).
What is the success rate of regenerative medicine?
This is always our favorite question, and it is entirely dependent on your pets health condition, age of which the cells are collected at, how they are administered and how often. 80-85% of our patients see immense improvement with regenerative medicine and most exceed that expectation after 1-3 injections. Regenerative medicine is not a “cure-all” and is typically part of a multi-modal treatment plan. Results between individual cases will vary. Its effectiveness as a therapy has been highlighted through thousands of reports and over 8,600 research studies on pets having undergone regenerative therapy. We can only rely on the data obtained through documented case studies to support this therapy. For example, an old dog with arthritis can’t become a puppy again, but we hope to reduce the pain and inflammation caused by the disease, thereby providing better quality of life. We also expect greater mobility and less reliance on medications after the procedure.
What treatments has Dr. Mayo treated with regenerative medicine?
- Kidney Failure
- Liver Failure
- Heart Failure
- Allergies
- Cataracts
- Degenerative Joint Disease
- Spondylosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Feline Leukemia
- Granuloma’s
- Burn Wounds
- Bone fractures
- Ruptured Discs
- Diabetes
- Partial Ligament Tears
- Strained/Sprained Muscles
- Hip Dysplasia
- Urinary Incontinence
- Post-operatively orthopedics to stimulate rapid recovery through tissue and blood flow regeneration
-Currently, there are over 65 conditions (and growing!) that regenerative medicine has been able to successfully complete and/or cure.-
Stem cell therapy and PRP are not suitable for cancer patients or patients with active infections. Please let us know ASAP if your pet has been diagnosed with either of the above by another veterinary facility.
Can my dog’s stem cells be given to my other dog and/or cat?
Unfortunately, no. Currently, the FDA has banned us from administering cells from one patient to the next and across species lines. For various reasons, dogs cannot receive cat stem cells and/or vice versa. It is important to note that we do not utilize fetal cells for obvious ethical and moral reasons.
For patients who are on a daily regimen of pain and anti-inflammatory medications, regenerative medicine has proven time and time again that most pet’s are able to greatly reduce their medication intake or stop all together. We do however encourage the use of joint supplements and a low dose of other medications IF determined by Dr. Mayo.
If stem cell therapy or PRP is something you would like to learn more about, please call us at 425-967-7999 to schedule an in-person consultation