Dog Gets Stem Cell Treatment

MEDFORD, Ore. — A former Oregon military dog that did two tours of duty sniffing out bombs in Iraq is going to receive stem cell therapy to treat osteoarthritis in his hips.

The Mail Tribune reports the 80-pound German shepherd named Basco was adopted in November by Debbie Richter in Medford after he was discharged by the military.

Hip problems such as arthritis can lead to early death for larger dogs, and surgery options such as hip replacement have a limited chance of success for an older dog like Basco, who is 7.

While researching alternatives, Richter says she found MediVet-America, which offers a stem cell treatment for joint problems in dogs and horses using the animal's own stem cells to regenerate damaged tissue.

An Oregon State University veterinarian will perform the procedure.

Comments

[AlwaysAnObie]

11:12 AM on 02/13/2011

This treatment has been available to dogs for some time. This is not new.

[JournalismJunky]

11:45 AM on 02/16/2011

Hello AlwaysAnObie,

You're right. This technology has been around for a while, but it has greatly improved. It is also now available in individual vet clinics through Medivet America. Allowing individual veterinarians to perform the procedure for their patients all across the U.S. is, in fact, quite new to regenerative medicine.

[AlwaysAnObie]

11:15 AM on 02/17/2011

I'm wondering if you work for Medivet. I don't think they're the only company that does this.

[MediVet America]

11:29 AM on 02/17/2011

Hi AlwaysAnObie,
You're right, this is not a new procedure. What our company is doing differently is making the procedure more accessible to pet owners by cutting the cost (in half, sometimes) and completing it in only one office visit. Right now, we are the only company that is capable of providing the veterinarian with all the equipment that they need to do the procedure completely in-house.

[jgarma]

12:02 AM on 02/12/2011

A few humans could use this too, so I hope the animals provide all the data the medical types need to start on us.

[Willow712]

10:36 PM on 02/10/2011

I have a rescue lab/something big. She is 8 and was horribly abused by her previous owner until I got her two years ago. She has arthritis in all four legs, she is on rimadyl, generic . and also glucosamine chondroitin. to watch a horribly abused dog, lay in the grass, roll around, wag her tail, and lay in the sun warms my heart. She'd never been off a rope, tied to an old car in northern MN, knots under her skin on her legs, there is no telling what kind of things happened to her. when she is suffering, I will put her down. but if she can enjoy her fenced backyard in the trees for just a little bit, I'll wait. This has been a hard winter for her. It may be her last. but she can enjoy the summer. I'd do the stem cell treatment, but I would imagine its very expensive.

[captspock]

04:19 PM on 02/11/2011

Good luck to both of you,enjoy your friend I am sure she appreciates everything you do for her.

[Sarah Riordan]

08:00 PM on 02/11/2011

Hi Willow712,
Your dog sounds wonderful! Medivet prides itself on having an in-clinic and affordable stem-cell procedure. Please visit the website at www.medivetamerica.com and fill out the "is this right for my dog" section.

Also, Medivet has many wholeistic options that could help your animal. It's a tremendous company that works with all-natural products and regenerative medicine.

Give them a look because the stem-cell procedure is a lot more affordable than you probably think. I hope this helps! Thanks for giving your dog a good home!

[MrSkye]

08:10 PM on 02/10/2011

Creepy

[stillbarbi]

01:16 PM on 02/11/2011

What's creepy about hope for a better life for the dog?

[Mekales]

07:49 PM on 02/10/2011

If I pant and bark...do you think they would allow me a trail run at this?!

[Smirk]

01:53 PM on 02/10/2011

Great! I hope the treatment works.