Breakthrough Stem Cell Treatment Offers New Hope To Alabama Dogs With Arthritis

After winning his fifth agility title, the Australian cattle dog from Huntsville encountered a seemingly insurmountable obstacle: arthritis.

The worsening inflammation in Spanky's spine and shoulders made it hard to walk, much less run. Owner Debbie Baeder was heartbroken.

"He's given me his best all of his life," Baeder told AL.com last week. "The least I can do is make him comfortable in his old age."

Enter Spanky's veterinarian, Dr. Mark Russell of Whitesburg Animal Hospital. Russell is the first vet in North Alabama, and one of a small handful across the state, to offer stem cell therapy for arthritic pets.

Baeder signed Spanky up for the unique treatment, which involves removing a plug of fatty tissue from behind the dog's shoulder, using lab equipment to separate the stem cells and then injecting the activated cells back into the dog's sore knees, hips, elbows or back.

Spanky, who will turn 17 in September, emerged from the February procedure a happier, healthier pet, said Baeder.

"He's up and down the stairs; he runs more," she said. "He feels good, you can tell. I can't recommend stem cell therapy highly enough."

'Really bullish'

Russell has given stem cell injections to seven arthritic dogs so far, and he says all of them are getting around better. The therapy did not work as well on a pet with inflammatory bowel disease.

Overall, Russell said he is thrilled with the results and plans to continue offering the injections. Whitesburg Animal Hospital charges about $2,500 and $3,000 for the treatment, which includes storing some of the harvested stem cells in case a second round of injections is needed later.

"At first, we were really tentative," Russell told AL.com. "But after a case or two, you get really bullish because it works so well and we've seen such dramatic changes."

He said the healing power of stem cells comes from their ability to morph into whatever type of cell an ailing body needs: ligaments, tendons, cartilage. The injections are also easier on the kidneys than anti-inflammatory drugs.

"Basically, this gives a very safe way to use the body's own mechanism to heal itself and ameliorate pain," said Russell.

Studying stem cells

Russell's experiences mirror the results of an ongoing animal stem cell therapy study at the University of Florida. Researchers there are testing the effectiveness of stem cells in dogs with arthritic elbows.

Of the 48 dogs enrolled in the study, half received a single injection of stem cells harvested from the umbilical cords of puppies born by cesarean-section. The rest received a saline placebo. All are monitored for six months.

While only 17 dogs have completed the study, the early returns are promising.

Dr. Anna Dunlap, a veterinarian and orthopedic fellow at the University of Florida, said all the dogs in the stem cell group are "trending towards improvement." Meanwhile, the dogs in the placebo group have stayed the same or gotten worse.

"I am encouraged by the results that we are seeing," Dunlap told AL.com. "Also, the owners are really seeing improvements."

Even so, she cautioned that stem cells are not a "miracle drug" for curing arthritis in pets.

"Arthritis is not reversible," said Dunlap. Stem cell therapy "might make your dog more comfortable, but it's not going to fix the underlying problem."

Tasha's story

About a year and a half ago, Katherine Levine of Huntsville noticed that her once-spry black Labrador retriever Tasha was struggling to get into the car.

Tasha was still walking, but something was clearly wrong. The 13-year-old dog's movements were tentative; her rear legs seemed weak.

During a veterinary checkup last fall, Russell mentioned that Tasha might be a good candidate for Stem Cell Therapy. Levine agreed.

In September, Russell and a team of his Whitesburg Animal Hospital employees sedated Tasha and removed enough stem cell-containing fatty tissue to fill a vial. On a return visit a few days later, Russell injected the dog's inflamed back legs with stem cells as well as platelet-rich plasma.

The results were dramatic; Levine said Tasha leaped into the car for the ride home from the vet's office.

"The difference was pretty much close to instantaneous," Levine told AL.com. "She's up, she's down, she's all over the place."

Eight months later, the stem cells still appear to be doing their job. Tasha was feeling well enough to accompany Levine on a recent road trip to New York City. Long walks together have become part of their routine again.

"Tasha has no idea she's a 13-year-old dog at this point," said Levine.

Allergies: No More A Threat

It was a sunny December afternoon; I and my sisters were enjoying our vacations on the Goa beach! We were at the pick of our enjoyment and suddenly my sister screamed Oh my God! What is this? I have developed rashes all over my skin! She was itching horribly and we all were little bit upset! We initially thought that she might have eaten something which she is allergic to! We rushed to the nearest local doctor and found that it was an allergy due to sunlight! That was really shocking! An allergy from sunlight! How can it be possible!  But yes, it can be possible! After a through internet search and lot of readings, now I can say it is possible!

Allergy is actually an exaggerated or false immune response; suddenly occurring as an indication that something wrong has happened in the body. In other words, it is the hypersensitive immune reaction to some antigens or allergens. These allergens are as such foreign substances or more precisely substances which are foreign to the bodies.  They can be natural like dust, pollen, sun rays, pet dander etc or some synthetic medications or food. It has been observed that environmental and genetic factors are responsible for such kind of hypersensitive reactions.

All of us have an intrinsic immune system as our natural defence mechanism, which avoid entry of any foreign pathogens. If by any chance, the pathogen enters in our body, a strong immune response is generated through production of large antibodies and white blood cells, which will kill the pathogen through specific mechanisms such as phagocytosis. However there are some harmless foreign substances such as dust or pollens, which are not capable of generating strong immune response although, can generate false response by producing a kind of immunoglobulin known as IgE.

IgE is a kind of antibody, present in a very small amount in the body but is capable to generate a cascade of allergic reaction upon entry of some particles. This antibody can specifically recognise some allergen receptors which are in minute quantities. Upon recognition, they can be able to secrete some chemicals which are able to mediate some inflammatory reactions. These inflammatory reactions can cause symptoms, with which some of us are associated like coughing, sneezing, skin rashes etc.

Until very recently, the healthcare sector was able to offer treatments for allergies, to reduce the symptoms! However, it would always be better to cut it out from the source and cure completely.

Stem Cells Treatments can be the possible hope for this. Stem cells are the youngest cells of the body, which can be able to differentiate into many desirable cells types, upon activation in proper direction. Allergies are definitely happening due to cellular malfunction. Our immune system, works on cellular communication which becomes faulty in person with some kind of allergies. These immune cells mistakenly attack substances or allergen; those are actually not threats to us. Stem cells stimulation therapy along with injection of some growth factors can create an internal microenvironment to stop the progression of these hypersensitive reactions

Thus Doctors are suggesting a combination therapy with Stem Cells stimulation technology and administration of SNMC drug to add an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect, to completely get rid of allergies and allow you to live your life to the fullest without the fear of being allergic!

Winter Skin Care Tips

The cold, dry air of the long winter season can leave skin feeling irritated and itchy, destroying all your efforts throughout the year to build a great complexion. For a lot of people, the cold and the snow means dry skin on the face, hands, and feet, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple tips you can maintain your healthy skin even in the face of a long, dark winter.

Drink Lots of Water

Staying hydrated is important for your overall health year round. It helps to flush the toxins from your body that can contribute to skin problems. While it may not automatically give you healthy, moist skin, it will contribute to a healthy body and better skin.

Eat Healthy

There are a number of foods that can keep your skin healthy. Omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids like fish oil and flaxseed oil can help, but there are many foods and vitamins (such as Vitamins E and C) that can produce the results you want.

Use Sunscreen Outside

Sunscreen isn’t just for the warm days of summer. The winter sun and the increased glare from the snow can still cause significant damage to your skin. Sometimes, it may seem particularly gloomy and overcast, but UV rays can still penetrate the clouds and create problems.

Avoid Overly Hot Showers

On those really cold days, a long hot shower or bath may seem like just the thing, but water temperatures that are too hot can break down the lipid barriers in the skin, leading to a loss of moisture. Luke warm water is the better choice for your skin, and even then you shouldn’t spend too much time under the downpour.

Moisturize Frequently

Moisturizer is an important component of a winter care routine, but it’s important to find the right one. The lotion that works in the summertime may not be the best choice for the colder months. Choose a moisturizer that’s oil based, rather than water based, and use it often. Be careful where you use it, though, as some of these oils are not meant to be used on the face.

Lower Your Thermostat

The minute you turn on indoor heating, your skin is going to start drying out. Obviously, we are going to need to heat our homes, but try setting the thermostat to a comfortable level, but cooler than you might otherwise use. 68°F to 72°F should help you maintain your healthy skin.

Avoid Harsh Soaps

Many soaps contain ingredients that may aggravate itchiness or dryness. A lot of this comes from the fragrances or other artificial components, so you might consider washing with a fragrance-free moisturizing gel or cleanser.

Avoid Irritating Fabrics

As you bundle up to face the cold, dry temperatures, you need to make sure you aren’t doing more harm than good. Avoid fabrics that can be irritating like wool or polyesters and choose something like cotton. Many fabric softeners also have some fragrances that can be irritating, so leave them out and use a mild laundry detergent.

Stem Cell Treatment For Cardiac Diseases- Beat Back The Weak Heart

It’s a great weekend morning, you don’t have to prepare your kids for the school, neither in a hurry to make lunch, nor to rush to the office. You glance over and are delighted to watch your husband and children, who are still in a bed! With the relax state of mind, you go to your favorite window, facing lush green gardens and fountains and enjoy the nature with a cup of tea as a supplementary pleasure. Suddenly you feel that your hands are shaking, which increase to the extent that you no longer able to hold the cup! You feel short of your breath, start sweating profusely and feel the strong initiation of an arrow of pain from the middle of the chest to the neck which disappear within no time!  You just sit on the chair, relax with your head down on the table. Although after few fractions of minutes, everything start getting under control. When you get complete hold over your normal being, you have a glass of water, and start wondering, what happened to you but then ignored immediately as mere a state or stress! Have you ever experienced this? If yes, then please don’t ignore it as just a state or stress, but it’s the first signal given from your heart, that it is getting weak and need your attention!

It is very alarming that the heart diseases, are the leading cause of death affecting people of all age groups and backgrounds. There are many people who survived the heart attack but are left with the scar tissue, reducing the heart’s pumping ability to one third! They can’t dance, can’t play with their children, can’t enjoy life and sleep every night wondering if they could wake up in the morning! Every year, thousands of victims undergoing heart treatments and suffering from consequences post surgeries pray  and wish to find out an alternative medicinal boon, which can transform their weak heart into the strong one without the need for the surgery and medicines. This desperation, motivated many scientists worldwide to gain access over stem cell treatment. Stem cell therapy for heart disease is a contemporary recipe, employing strategies such as damaged cell regeneration, improved muscle movement thereby increases pumping capacity.

Stem cells are the master cells of the body, which are capable of differentiating into many or all kinds of cells. These adult stem cells lie dormant in an adult tissue. We have a quota of them even in our heart! These cells are involved in replacing the damaged cardiac cells in case of normal wear and tear of the heart. Although in case of diseased condition, the heart tissue is already damaged due to excessive resident cell death and hence impose heavy burden on stem cells to remove, replace and regenerate the scar tissue. However, at some point of time, these stem cells are unable to cope up with the burden and need an extra force to help them. This is not the reason for the attack, though it can be one of the reasons of major heart failure. In that regard, the very recently invented Stem Cells have shown great promises in cardiac regeneration as opposed to clinical controversies. As many as 5000 clinical trials are underway all over the world, demonstrating an effectiveness of stem cells as a potential medicine in treating heart diseases and have so far shown no medical complications.

Since, your own stem cells are employed for the treatment which are isolated from the two most potent sources such as bone marrow and adipose tissue, the heart would repair itself to the great extent, posing no harm in terms of immunological rejections. The injected stem cells will immediately start migrating to the scarred tissue if injected intravenously, and become damaged heart muscle cells, this way the heart can be way back to the normal.

Thus, with each advancing day, the progress is happening in every aspect of stem celltherapy for cardiac diseases, making physicians enthusiastic and hopeful to treat the patients suffering from heart diseases in a better way and getting them back to the life!!!!!!!!!!!!!