As many of you likely know, our oldest nugget (dog) has battled with hip dysplasia for years, and for years, the vets said there was nothing we can do. After a recent, and very upsetting, visit to Simon's regular vet, a staff member here at dgs (thanks, Janae!) referred me to a piece she'd seen on the evening news regarding stem cell therapy for dogs with hip dysplasia. Needless to say, we called immediately.
We first visited the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic on July 30 where we met Dr. Ben Ealing. Dr. Ealing is the vet trained in this area to administer this cutting edge procedure. We were thrilled when he indicated that Simon was an ideal candidate. So, with a little hope in hand, we scheduled the procedure for 8/5 - 8/7.
We admitted Simon with high hopes and fingers crossed. We knew we were leaving him in capable, loving hands. The staff at BRAC is so wonderful.
Anyway, on Wednesday, they made an incision in SiMaster's abdomen to harvest the fat that contains the stem cells. This was really the hardest part for little Si. That fat was shipped overnight to the VetStem lab in California where the cells were extracted on Thursday. The cells arrived back at BRAC on Friday morning, where Simon's hips were injected.
We picked him up on Friday evening - of course, we visited him in-between drop off and pickup) - and were so glad to get him home. BUT, Friday was a very difficult night. Simon was very sore, scared and out of sorts. I stayed up with him most of the night, even fell asleep with my pillow on our deck for a while, during which time I was devoured by mosquitoes. Damn things.
After a slow start and much napping on Simon's part on Saturday, around 7pm or so he got up and was moving around well. Sunday was better, and Monday was our best day yet. He's a little tired today from overdoing it a bit, but altogether on the mend.
I can already see a difference in his posture and he's getting up and down with much more ease. He's also being weaned off his anti-inflammatory medicine. We're doing ice packs (bags of frozen peas) a couple times a day to control the swelling, etc. We're also taking our first walks to help build up his atrophied muscles - we haven't been able to take him on a walk in probably two years, so it's pretty exciting.
It's a lot of work to help the little guy back on his feet, but worth every second. Here are some pics from his recovery thus far.
We are very grateful to have been connected with Dr. Ealing and the BRAC, and have high hopes for this treatment. It's a testament to the importance of continuing stem cell research and other scientific study in order to find cures to debilitating diseases and disorders. To condemn stem cell research is tantamount to neglect, ignorance and is, in the end, irresponsible.
Cheers for Simon's new stem cells!
Please keep your fingers (and paws) crossed.
3 comments:
This is so amazing!Sweet Simon has such a beautiful spirit, and we have all loved him so much. To see him walking and moving about more easily is absolute joy! Stem cell research is so important. Just think of the possibilities in the future of eradicating some of the awful diseases that plague humans,as well as animals.Thank you,Janael, for leading Leslie and Aaron to this Vet.We are so grateful!!! Grandma K
I miss SiFi very much. Bubbi looks put out in these pictures, but I know he will continue to heal and improve going forward. What a awesome veterinarian for even practicing such a surgery!
Mike - He misses you, too. We took him for his follow-up appointment yesterday to get stitches out, etc. Doc says he's doing even better than expected. Little improvements every day. He's quite pleased to not be wearing the inner tube anymore :-)
Our vet rocks.
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