SCOTTSDALE – You’ve probably heard of stem cell technology being used to help cure diseases in humans, but now, it’s being used to ease pain in our pets.
Stem cell technology helps aging pets ease their pain. Staff at Adobe Animal Hospital in Scottsdale performed the first procedure Thursday on Lilly, a 14-year-old American Eskimo suffering from severe arthritis.
Vets took some fat out of her and harvested her adult stem cells. Then, they injected the new cells into her aching joints.
Vets say this is a great alternative to surgeries and drugs.
“Dogs that couldn’t go up the stairs, cats that couldn’t get into the litter pan can now go up the stairs and get in the litter pan — that is very important for quality of life. We’re not trying to make them just be older we’re trying to make them more comfortable so they can enjoy their senior years and that’s what it’s all about,” says Dr. Mike Hutchinson.
The procedure takes about 3 hours. The cost is about $1,800.
This is not the first stem cell procedure preformed on a dog. Vet-Stem has been supplying this therapy for dogs since 2008.