AUSTINBURG -- Stem Cell treatment for dogs is not new, but being able to do it right in the vet's office certainly is.
Thanks to a new device by MediVet, vets at the Austinburg Veterinary Clinic on State Route 45 in Ashtabula County are able to give dogs some relief from tendon and arthritis problems.
The first patient was Stella, a 5-year-old Great Dane, who belongs to vet Dr. Becky Salinger. She's not only a pet, she's also the clinic's blood donor. So keeping her drug-free was important.
Stella partially tore her cruciate ligament. So last month, Drs. Salinger and Susan Paulic removed some of Stella's fat and put it into a centrifuge to spin.
Three hours later, her stem cells were separated and activated and injected into her knee.
Dr. Salinger says Stella was walking around normally and seemingly pain free about 48 hours later. She also went from needing pain medication daily, to maybe once a week.
Animal stem cell technology uses the body's own regenerative healing power to help cure dogs, cats and horses suffering from osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia and tendon, ligament and cartilage injuries.
The procedure can be used on dogs that have no history of cancer and at any age. It's not cheap. Expect to pay about $1500 but stem cells can be banked for a fee if the procedure needs to be repeated.
For more information call 440.275.1071.
WKYC-TV