Stem Cell Treatments

ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)

In the April 4th, 2001 edition of JAMA (Vol. 285, 1691-1693), Drs. Gearhart and Kerr of Johns Hopkins University used stem cells to cure rats of an ALS-like disease.

The rats were injected with a virus to kill the spinal cord motor nerves related to leg movement. Dr. Gearhart and Dr. Kerr then injected the spinal cords of the rats with stem cells.

These migrated to the sites of injury where they were able to regenerate the dead nerve cells restoring the rats which were once again able to walk.

Stem cell use in animals

Horses

Stem cell treatment has begun on horses, mainly to treat injuries to the tendons, ligaments, and joints of sport horses or racehorses. Fat is harvested from the tail head and processed, and an animal may receive treatment within three days after the sample is taken.

Injuries that may be treated include Degenerative Joint Disease, soft-tissue injuries, Osteochondrosis, fractures, and sub-chonral bone cysts. Currently, research is also being preformed on stem cell application in laminitis and COPD.

Dogs

There is currently research being preformed on the usefulness of stem cells in canine lameness.

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