For Immediate Release
August 11, 2008
Contact: Amy Morris
517-485-6600
Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs—it’s Real and it’s Here
Michigan Vets Perform Successful Regenerative Stem Cell Treatments
Many times a dog’s heart and spirit outlives his body.
That was certainly the case for Sarge, a 12-year-old German Shepherd who suffered from osteoarthritis of the
hips. This common condition often threatens the lives of otherwise healthy dogs.
“Sarge’s owner called me sobbing about his worsening condition,” said Dr. Kristine Butto of the Gibraltar
Veterinary Clinic in Rockwood. Sarge was on medication for his hips and was still having trouble walking. Dr. Butto
suggested stem cell therapy.
Dr. Butto, a member of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, is one of only about a dozen veterinarians in
Michigan certified in veterinary stem regenerative cell therapy. This cutting-edge procedure involves extracting
adult stem cells from an animal’s fat and injecting them back into the animal to re-grow new tissue.
This procedure has been effective in treating osteoarthritis, injured tendons and ligaments, and relieving pain. Dr.
Butto said there are virtually no side effects associated with the stem cell injections because the patient is also the
host.
Like other dogs she has treated, Dr. Butto said Sarge showed dramatic improvement and was jumping up on the
couch and chasing the owner’s cat five days after the procedure.
Dr. Butto received training and was accredited by a company called Vet-Stem earlier this year. The company
provides regenerative stem cell therapy courses free to qualified veterinarians, and is the only laboratory in the
U.S. that processes the canine fat and ships back the viable stem cells for veterinary medical use.
The procedure takes three days to complete. A small sample of fat is surgically removed from the dog. This sample
is shipped overnight to Vet-Stem where the stem cells are isolated from the fat and shipped back to the clinic for
injection by day three. The lab also banks some of the stem cells for one year in case of the need for future
reinjection.
“Usually animal medicine follows the breakthroughs of human medicine, but in this case, veterinarians are the
leaders,” said Karlene Belyea, executive director of the MVMA. “Michigan veterinarians are using this cutting edge
procedure to help their animal patients.”
Dr. Marj Field, another MVMA member and the medical director of VCA Allen Park Animal Hospital, introduced Dr.
Butto to regenerative stem cell therapy and assisted her with their first candidate, a dog named Pirate. She
became accredited in Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell therapy in December 2007.
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Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs—it’s Real and it’s Here
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“Some people look at me like I’m crazy when I suggest stem cell therapy as an option for a suitable dog,” said Dr.
Field who wishes she could have the procedure on her own bad knees. “If I could sign up now I would,” she said.
Both doctors said they are optimistic for the potential of stem cell therapy for treatment of neurological, heart,
kidney, liver and immune mediated diseases. Another unknown about the procedure is how long it lasts and if reinjections are needed.
Dr. Butto said she is excited to take on more stem cell cases and hopes people who are interested will investigate
this option.
The Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, founded in 1883, is comprised of more than 2,000 veterinarians. It
provides continuing education for veterinarians and related professionals, monitors state legislation and
regulations, and promotes veterinary medicine through a multifaceted public education program. Each year the
association provides more than 200 hours of educational programs for veterinarians, veterinary technicians and
support staff.
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