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Veterinary medicine has kept pace with the latest in human medicine and there are many regenerative therapies available to target serious medical problems along with various techniques to promote health awareness. The collective goals are to reduce pain and physical suffering, and thus improve the well-being of the cats so that the cats can live a better life. Here are ways science and technology can help cats at all stages of life.
Stem cell regenerative medicine
“Regenerative medicine is an innovative branch of medicine that uses stem cells and tissue engineering to develop new therapies to repair or replace diseased organs, tissues, or cells,” explains Dr. Boaz Arzi, professor of dentistry and oral surgery and director of veterinary medicine at the Institute of Regenerative Therapies (VIRC) at UCLA. Davis.
“By harnessing the different aspects of regenerative medicine, we can now attempt to treat disorders previously considered incurable or untreatable, and offer exciting possibilities for developing future therapies,” he adds.
In the feline world, stem cell therapies can be used with the aim of treating painful problems such as feline chronic gingivitis (FCGS), kidney disease, and osteoporosis, all of which are unfortunately very common in cats all over the world.
Chronic periodontitis treatment in cats. Professor Arzi, with his extensive research team, has been conducting trials to find a cure for FCGS since 2013 and has had great success.
“Chronic feline gingivitis is a naturally occurring, immune-mediated disease of the oral mucosa potentially caused by viral etiologies such as feline calciviruses,” he explains. “It results in painful inflammatory mucosal lesions that significantly affect quality of life and often require long-term immunosuppressive therapy (steroids) in cats who do not respond to tooth extraction therapy.”
One of the cats enrolled in Arzi’s initial trials was 12 years old at the time and severely suffering from FCGS. Once he received stem cell therapy, he lived pain-free and cured of the disease until he was 20 years old.
Stem cell harvest. Currently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the most common type used in veterinary treatments and can be harvested from bone marrow or from organ material removed during the regular sterilization and sterilization procedure. Stem cells can also be harvested from fat, known as lipid-derived stem cells. Cells harvested from lipids are heterogeneous cells – a mixture of cells with many functions, and thus can be used in many different applications.
In order to safely collect and transport harvested lipids, the Stem Cell Laboratory provides a pet vet’s kit, which includes an insulated charger, ice pack, sample transfer tubes (for lipids), all required paperwork, and shipping labels. The stem cells that will be used in the animal are created in the laboratory and shipped back to the pet’s vet under very stringent conditions to be injected into the appropriate site.
Stem cell storage. Cat parents have the option of storing their pet’s harvested stem cells at the time of spaying or neutering and keeping them frozen in case they are needed in the future. A company called Gallant has specialized in storing stem cells for a pet’s life and making 10 doses available on demand. This procedure can be paid monthly, annually or pay a one-time fee for life. Learn more at gallant.com/pricing.
Ready-made stem cell therapies. Scientific advances have now led to Galant receiving a license to manufacture FDA-approved “ready-to-use” cell therapies.
Dr. explains. Linda Black, who is the CEO of Galant. Find more information on gallant therapeutics.com.
The stomatitis product is scheduled to be available in 2024, and a stem cell treatment for kidney disease will follow in 2025. This will also significantly reduce the costs of stem cell treatments to $300 to $500. Currently, regardless of the harvest process, some veterinarians charge thousands. It is an open market.
PLATELET – Rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections involve drawing tubes from the cat’s blood and running it through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. These activated platelets are then injected directly into injured or diseased body tissues. This releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of compensatory cells produced by the body. This treatment is used in the case of osteoporosis.
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy
This non-invasive treatment essentially pulses an electromagnetic field into the tissues via inductive coils to aid healing and reduce inflammation and pain.
“PEMF therapy can help with any process that causes pain or inflammation. Common uses for postoperative patients, especially after orthopedic or neurosurgery, and patients receiving physical rehabilitation,” explains Katie Krebs, DVM, DAB-VP Clinical Trainer, in Community Practice at Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia, who is currently participating in research studies to explore the benefits of this treatment.
Dr. Krebs and her team are also researching the use of home appliances to treat feline arthritis. “Cats do best when they are in a stress-free environment, such as at home, and these devices tend to be easy for pet parents to use,” she says.
Regarding PEMF devices, there are a few veterinary products available for animals, but none have been specifically tested in cats, which is what the study is looking at. Dr. Krebs suggests that for anyone looking to buy one for home use, it’s probably best to consider a vet. “In our teaching veterinary hospital, we use units manufactured/sold by Assisi Animal Health.”
DNA Kits
DNA combinations can determine a cat’s genetic makeup and thus shed important light on a cat’s temperament and personality. This is important in getting a better understanding of the cat in your home and how it might interact with other pets and people in the home. They are also able to identify hereditary hereditary health conditions.
The Basepaws Breed + Health DNA Kit It now provides results for more than 43 genetic conditions represented by 64 health markers, including a new marker for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common form of heart disease in cats. Include genetic markers of blood type. There are three different types of cat blood, and some blood types can be more common in some breeds and less common in others.
The group screens 25 genetic traits represented by 50 genetic markers. The traits section of the digital report provides a summary of some of the genes and mutations responsible for cats’ unique physical appearance. It also includes findings for a non-aesthetic trait important to a cat’s health, which is the potential for resistance to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Basepaws Oral Health Test is a unique screening tool that tells you if there are signs of active dental disease in your cat. The test can identify (at the time of the test) common problems such as bad breath (bad breath), dental resorption and gum disease, Rowen C. Rose, Science Communications Specialist at Basepaws explains.
Dental disease is very difficult to see with the naked eye, especially in the early stages. The Basepaws Cat Oral Health Test is the first of its kind that allows you to “see the invisible” by identifying active signs of dental disease in your cat’s mouth so you can get the help and relief they need sooner.
laser treatment
Similarly, Dr. Krebs says laser treatment for cats is routinely done in veterinary clinics.
“Laser treatment is a really good alternative to PEMF for cats with osteoarthritis,” says Dr. Krebs. The laser uses light that penetrates the tissues to help reduce inflammation and pain and aid in healing. Most of the lasers that will be effective in helping pets heal are for use by veterinarians only. Again, if a pet owner wants to invest in a device at home, they should speak to their vet and get instructions on the proper use and safety of lasers.” “This treatment is much more difficult for home owners because the units are expensive and must be prepared to treat the cat’s underlying condition appropriately. Right.”
Kitty will also need goggles for such treatments.
Food and environmental intolerance tests
There are also DNA-based tests that can help identify any food or environmental triggers that may affect your pet’s overall health and well-being.
The 5-Branch Public Health Assessment Test includes two tests: the Pet Food Intolerance Test and the Pet Environmental Intolerance Test. The Pet Food Intolerance test covers proteins, grains, vegetables, fruits, additives and preservatives that can be found in a commercial pet food-based diet. Of the more than 275 items tested, the results will show how a pet’s hair sample responded upon exposure to each item tested. The level of severity is provided in the results, which can also be downloaded on the 5Strands mobile app.
The Pet Environmental Intolerance Test covers fabrics, cleaning supplies, weeds, trees, mold, dust mites, and other animal dander. Understanding your pet’s environmental triggers can help you adapt or modify your pet’s lifestyle. This knowledge is very useful for a cat vet to keep on file.
Technology promotes for good health
Technology is now everywhere, powering food bowls, helping to weigh the right amounts of food to combat obesity. Also, there are a variety of health apps out there to track your pet’s activity levels, providing a window into your pet’s world so you can see if he’s suddenly not as active as usual.
Pet parents are well aware that a litter box can actually be a mine of information about a pet’s health. Are they constipated, are they urinating excessively? Poop that changes color can help indicate a problem.
Petivity is a smart litter box monitor that can be placed under a litter box and uses artificial intelligence and acquired pet data to track a pet’s behavior in the box and even monitor its weight, all indicators of good general health and well-being. Changes in litter box activity can also indicate urinary problems, kidney problems, and diabetes. The device works with a smartphone app and sends alerts so pet parents don’t miss a thing. No collar or slide is required, the mobile app can sync and monitor multiple cats.
Felaqua Connect is a unique water bowl with a water tank that works in conjunction with an app to track how much and how often cats drink water. It runs on a unique cat identification chip and thus can be programmed for multi-cat households as well.
If your cat has special health considerations, it may be important to monitor her fluid intake.
Tracking your pet’s health at home and then sharing this information with your pet vet goes a long way in improving your cat’s overall health and wellness, allowing them to live a happy life.
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