Dr. Christiansen injecting Brody's own stem cells into his hipBrody is a Florida black bear who had a difficult start to life. He was found alone and abandoned at just three weeks old in Ocala National Forest. Despite efforts by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, his mother was never found. Brody was also suffering from serious health problems, including respiratory issues and a weak suckling reflex, which meant he could not be released back into the wild. As a result, he was taken in by the Brevard Zoo, where the team provided him with long-term care, helping him recover and grow stronger through consistent medical attention, exercise, and socialization.

However, Brody’s challenges didn’t end there. When he was around four months old, caregivers noticed he was frequently licking his abdomen and showing signs of discomfort. After being anesthetized for a thorough examination, Brody was diagnosed with a condition similar to hip dysplasia in dogs. His hip joints were malformed, and without treatment, he would likely develop severe pain and osteoarthritis as he grew older. To prevent this outcome, veterinarians decided he would need a special surgical procedure called juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS), which is designed to correct hip development issues in young animals.

Fortunately, Dr. Jeff Christiansen, a board-certified surgeon experienced with JPS and stem cell treatments, stepped in to help. Dr. Christiansen had performed the surgery successfully on puppies in the past and believed Brody was a good candidate. During the procedure, he also collected fat from Brody for stem cell processing.

The fat was sent to the VetStem laboratory, where stem cells were extracted and cultured to create therapeutic doses. Once prepared, three doses were returned to Dr. Christiansen. One was injected into each of Brody’s hips, and the third was given intravenously. Stem cell therapy is known to reduce pain and inflammation while promoting healing when used alongside surgery. This combination gave Brody the best possible chance at a full recovery.

According to the Brevard Zoo, Brody is recovering well. Although it will take time to fully assess the long-term success of the surgery and stem cell treatment, there is reason to be hopeful. Brody now has 15 stem cell doses stored for potential future use in case he needs further treatment.

Credit: VetStem Cell Therapy

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Video of Brody (the larger one) playing: Brody playing with Cheyenne