Oct 19, 2009 10:33 pm US/Central
New Treatment For Dogs With Chronic Illnesses
FRISCO (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
A new procedure is available for dogs suffering from chronic illnesses like arthritis.
Barney, a 12-year-old black lab living in Frisco with his owner Sarah Perham, recently began slowing down. He had trouble going up and down stairs, and getting up from a lying position. "He got to the point where he couldn't walk for very long when we would go on our walks he would just collapse, his back legs would fall from under him," Perham said.
Barney was diagnosed with arthritis and Perham said "I wanted to do anything I could to help him."
Dallas veterinarian Geoff Bratton suggested stem cell therapy to help alleviate Barney's symptoms. "Basically make them more comfortable, heal their joints by using their own body's stem cells."
Dr. Bratton removed some fat tissue and sent it to a lab in California for processing, concentrating, and isolating. Stem cells are then returned and implanted in the areas affected by the arthritis. Dr. Bratton explained, "We can actually take some of these cells and make them into injections that can be given back into the body, back into the joints specifically."
Perham says the results have been amazing. "Within a few days we saw increased mobility and within two or three weeks he was able to go up and down stairs with no problem," she said, "and he was trotting around the house and the yard."
Barney is enjoying his long walks again. And his owner is thrilled. "I was very happy because it made him feel better and that's really what's most important to me."
The procedure costs between $2,000 and $3,000 and doctors say it is effective in 75 to 80 percent of cases. For doctors and locations in North Texas offering the treatment
click here.
Click here to contact Dr. Bratton.
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