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Dr. John Herrity in Burke, Va., was inspired to look into stem cell therapy as an option for treating dogs with arthritis, joint and hip pain as part of his continuing search for alternative treatments for pets.
Rachael Dickson, Burke Patch
Ashley, a Brittany spaniel, wakes up after receiving stem cell therapy.
Last year, Herrity's own dog, a 7-year-old labradoodle named Bradley, developed a limp because of hip dysplasia. He needed a hip replacement -- an expensive and painful surgery.
Herrity looked for other options and found stem cell therapy, offered in the form of a fairly simple procedure combined with a kit sent by MediVet America, a veterinary technology company. The therapy uses the animal's own adult stem cells to heal areas of pain and inflammation.
"This is probably one of the most high-tech natural procedures we have," Herrity said.
"The body is really an extremely intelligent creature. It knows how to heal itself better than we do."
Bradley had the surgery in December. A few months later, his limp has disappeared. Herrity said Bradley's now "back to his old self."
The stem cells are then injected directly into the arthritic and painful joints, with additional cells put into the body using an IV drip. These free-flowing stem cells are attracted to areas of the body with the most inflammation.
"As far as the technical aspects of the surgery, a senior vet student can do this," Herrity said.
Greg Sykes, whose dog, Strata, underwent the surgery in January, had nothing but good things to say about the stem cell therapy. His 11-year-old dog had arthritis in both hips and elbows, and a torn ligament to boot.
Since the surgery, "Strata's more active, he's more alert," Sykes said.
Sykes said Strata is already off all pain medication.
Herrity has treated dogs from as far away as Pennsylvania.
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The entire stem cell therapy procedure costs around $2,000, less than half the cost of a total hip replacement, which can run from $4,500 to $6,000. A surgery on a dog's knees can run from $3,500 to $4,000.Herrity said he hasn't had to do a knee surgery in more than a year because of the stem cell therapy option and various other alternative therapies he offers.
"I'm really happy I do less knee surgeries now," Herrity said.
"Whenever you can take a chance and you have an upside and little to no downside -- why not do it?"
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