The advancements over the years in stem cell research is not only helping cure humans, but our furry family friends.
"He's just a real sweet personality, you can't help but love him."
Susan and Tim Enright's 5-year-old chocolate lab, Norman, had a stroke in April that left him paralyzed.
Now veterinarian Dr. Ronald Anders is performing stem cell treatments to help Norman recover.
The procedures may cost two-thousand-25-hundred dollars. For the Enrights, its worth it.
"If
it works, if it gets him up and walking at any quality of life again ...
we don't expect him to be out there chasing the frisbee, but if he does
that will be a bonus."
Doctor Anders pulled fat cells and sent them to a lab to duplicate and create 4 million stem cells.
They are sent back, and injected into Norman. For doctor Anders, this new technology makes treating animals worth while.
"It
makes it much easier but it also makes it more rewarding because you
see a patient like this that we couldn't help years ago that now we're
able to help. The dog in most cases would be put to sleep but in this
case the dog continues to thrive."
For animal owners, this new technology allows families to hold onto the family pet a little longer.
"5
years ago even the vets would've said there's nothing we could do and
we probably would've just said put him to sleep. So it opens up a whole
new avenue of choice for people."
