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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- There's a new procedure that could give you more time with your pets.3 f: R, D' x- m8 y7 {9 c
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Veterinarians are using stem cells to help with arthritis issues.
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"It was heartbreaking to see her not be a part of the family anymore," said dog owner Bill Chuchro.
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* {3 F5 O5 o! V+ C' hChuchro and Lily have been inseparable for more than a decade, and when Lily started staying behind rather than being his shadow, Chuchro knew something was wrong.
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/ f4 X2 o. U, v1 T2 g"As the arthritis got worse she started hiding back in the corners, staying out of the way because she couldn't get out of the way fast enough," he said.
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! d$ C2 k* j+ ]3 P6 ]Chuchro hopped on the Internet and found out stem cells aren't just helping humans these days.
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0 T! G! p- C' q! b# K2 z& L"These dogs are crippling to where it's difficult for the owners to continue to watch their dogs like that," said Adobe Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr. Tom Newland.2 K: l: o0 i6 j w. p) k
1 f. ~2 o9 [; s& E% b6 F( ?He's using adult stem cells from the very dog who needs them to regrow cartilage. Newland takes the cells out of the dog's fat and injects them into their joints.
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It's helping arthritic dogs like Lily get that youthful skip back into her step.3 z/ Y. d& Z) ^5 p; A( V1 i2 V- s
+ I" o" m$ o2 G, \; }# L"Now she'll run down the hall; she didn't run before," Chuchro said.
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Lily was the first dog in Arizona to have the surgery. It takes only a few hours and your pooch can come home with you right after it's done.# R$ Z' i: S; H5 m
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It isn't exactly cheap. The surgery costs around $2,000.8 I2 B6 G2 n- u3 L N. Z
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It's a small price, Chuchro said, to have his buddy back.1 _9 F2 Y) E4 d1 w' Z8 \* F
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"It was well worth it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat," he said.
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e8 q2 Q/ ^, w0 a. u5 M: H( J1 w9 aNewland said the surgery can be done on cats too., r! q" R# X, w8 _
6 \8 H) _2 R q0 ?- ^1 @- |% AHe also said there's some encouraging news for human patients.
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' I0 X% E; s% L# x7 E5 z' zNewland guesses the procedure will be available to people in the next few years. |
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