Tallasee Dog Undergoes Stem Cell Procedure – Alabama News

Posted: Dec 22, 2016 6:17 PM CST

by Jalea Brooks

Weve seen medical advancements using stem cells in humans, but one Tallasee dog is reaping the benefits of a relatively new procedure using her own stem cells.

Dr. Michelle J Mitchell says were using the pets own adult stem cells and were giving them back to the pet in such a way as to elicit healing, promote healing, decrease pain, decrease inflammation, it actually has been shown to rebuild some cartilage in damaged joints, it is an amazing technology that has improved the quality of life in numerous pets.

Mitchell is one of 3 veterinarians in Alabama, that perform this stem cell therapy procedure. Katie is a 5-year-old Coon-hound Mix with severe hip dysplasia and premature degenerative joint disease, making her a perfect candidate for stem cell therapy.

Mitchell says that this pet has been suffering from a pretty significant amount of degenerative joint disease and pain for sometime and as you know there are medications we can use to increase their comfort but again its a progressive condition so therefore it just keeps getting.it doesnt do anything to heal it just manages the pain so theyre more comfortable

According to Mitchell, the procedure itself is relatively simple.

She explains were gonna be harvesting her stem cells from the fat, gonna go inside the abdomenthen were gonna mix those stems cells with her own platelet rich plasma and then were gonna inject it back onto her hips knees her shoulders and any site of energy.

She and her staff only operate on the pet for about 30 minutes and the longest part is processing the fat and extracting the stem cells to be injected, which can take about 4 hours.

She says that once those cells are in those joints, they start working immediately, any site of inflammation is a magnet for stem cells.

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Tallasee Dog Undergoes Stem Cell Procedure - Alabama News