Nichole Dobo, The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal 11:41 a.m. EST February 5, 2014
Dr. Nancy Brady at Animal Haven Veterinary Center takes blood from Grover, a 4 year-old German Shepherd, while he is held by vet technician Savannah Haines, before they harvested fat tissue for a stem cell replacement procedure on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014.(Photo: Jennifer Corbett, The Wilmington, Del., News Journal)
Grover loves to play fetch.
But five months ago, while chasing a ball outside, the 4-year-old German shepherd blew out one of his back knees. He showed up with a limp at Animal Haven Veterinary Center in Bear, where he received treatment that helped, but he still had pain.
His owner, John Przybyliski, wanted a better outcome for his best friend. So, on Tuesday, Dr. Nancy Brady infused Grover's joint with stem cells she had extracted from his own fat tissue earlier in the day the first such procedure in Delaware to use an in-house stem cell treatment developed by a Kentucky-based company called MediVet America.
The cost: $2,249.
"It is financially a burden to us, because I am retired, but if this will help him, it will be worth every penny," said Przybyliski, who lives near New Castle.
The treatment is among a growing number of options for pet owners who more and more are willing to pay thousands of dollars to ease the pain of their furry family members, or improve their quality of life.
Supporters of stem cell therapy in pets say there is a growing body of evidence that supports the treatment in both humans and animals. Researchers continue to develop techniques and uses for stem cells, and experts say there is still more to learn.
"We figured, boy, if they can do that for human beings, it would be great if we could get that for him," Przybyliski said. "He's a young dog, and he had a lot of life to go out and play."
Read the rest here:
Owners hope stem cell therapy brings help for pets