Advice/experience on stem cell treatment

C

ColouredFan

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 February 2007
Messages
3,427
Location
UK, Bristol
Visit site
Hi, sorry I dont come in the section often so sorry if this has already been discussed!

I found out yesterday that my horse has damaged his off side fore tendon. the scan showed this very clearly. The vet has recommended Stem Cell treatment and he is going back on monday to have the bone marrow taken.

I am after some advice and experiences of people who have been through this with their horse, the vet advised he will need a minimum of 6 months box rest possibly up to 12 months, Have people done this treatment and been able to turnout before this time period?

Thanks
smile.gif
 
Just interested, why is he having bonemarrow taken? Presumably for the stem cell treatment. How does this help the tendon heal? I'm intrigued.
 
Hiya

Just to say stem cell therapy has been a fantastic advance is science - it gives so much better chance of recovery to full pre-injury work.

I tried desperately to get it done on my achilles tendons - having had experience of the fantastic results in horses - only to find out the vet world are leading the medical world on this - and even tho' there is interest they're not even starting trial work until 2010!!! I'll hopefully be better by then!!
crazy.gif
smirk.gif
grin.gif


As for turnout it definately depends on the case - initial injury, how they respond to initial treatment and how they heal - some sooner, some later - you'll only know as the limb is reassessed.

Sorry not to be a great deal of help - best advice follow vet's advice as he/she and you are the ones who know the full picture of your horse's individual injury and every one is different.

<<<<Loads of healing vibes>>>
 
Horse on my yard had it done 10 months ago and it didn't work at all. Think it was with donor stem cells...pig? Not sure. My understanding is that it's very new technology for horses and you could end up paying a serious amount of money for uncertain outcomes.
 
Just to recap on BoF post, this particular mare had 4 pinprick size holes and a tear in her DDFT, owner decided on A-Cell which is taken from pigs bladders and much cheaper at around £500-£800 (plus associated costs) which the mare rejected. Box rest and in hand walking for months.

I understand that if you have your own horses bone marrow cultured at a cost of around £5k, there is a lesser chance of rejection. After the stem cells are injected into the tendon hole/tear, your vet will need to scan every 6 weeks to monitor progress.

Even with the stem cell treatment, which is not proven at this point in time, a long period of rest is still recommended. I would ask your vets for statistics on their own success rate with stem cell treatment and how many they have done and, research as much as you can before you make a decision.

I was due to have my mare treated with A-Cell two weeks after the mare on our yard, but changed my mind when her body rejected it and her leg had to be treated with anti-bio's and anti-inflamatory drugs. IMO rest and plenty of time off is the key, followed by sticking to a 12 week fitness programme designed by your vet. However, this is only my opinion and in no way is it meant to be defamatory towards A-Cell who I believe have a good success rate??

Perhaps you could PM some better qualified people than me, for instance Star, Silmarillion, Half Step, Jet Set who all have vast experience of tendon issues and can give you their take on it.

Good luck and please let us all know what you decide to do. Hx
 
The stem cell culture if you have your horses own bone marrow costs £1,500 for 20million cells! Then about £200 on top for the vet fees plus the horse needs scanning every 3 months (or there abouts) not the 6 weeks! Hope that helps a little more! Im going through it all with my chap as mentioned in my PM and so far so good, no rejection and it is healing well with turnout!
 
Thank you all for your replies, I have read up alot on the subject and spoken to several people who have been through it and decided to go ahead. Frankie is going back to the vets monday to have the bone marrow taken, thankfully he is insured!

Thaliie thank you so much for your PM
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top