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 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Davis 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 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Davis.
Learn more about how comparing diseases and treatments across species makes health advances possible.
Communications and marketing officer Trina Wood is the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s communications “Jill of All Trades.â€