Smokey the Cat, a Clinical Success
about a promising stem cell therapy for cats and the implications for improving human health.
Smokey the cat was reaching the end of her nine lives when she came to Ƶ veterinary hospital. She had been diagnosed with chronic gingivostomatitus or FCGS, a painful inflammatory mouth disease. Even with all of her teeth removed, the disease persisted, leaving her mouth inflamed and the once playful and curious kitty in pain.
As a last ditch effort, Smokey’s owners enrolled her in a where researchers used stem cells derived from their feline patients with the goal of reducing inflammation and promoting new tissue growth. Fortunately, Smokey’s last recheck showed a dramatic improvement and her appetite is back — maybe a little too much!
Researchers say these in treating a similar oral inflammatory disease — — that creates ulcers in the mouth, making it difficult to talk and eat. Plans for human clinical trials may begin as early as next year at Ƶ.
Learn more about how comparing diseases and treatments across species makes health advances possible.
Communications and marketing officer Trina Wood is the Ƶ School of Veterinary Medicine’s communications “Jill of All Trades.”