Pet's Stem Cell Procedure First in State

ATLANTA - It's the first of its kind in the state of Georgia - a stem cell procedure for your pet done all in a vet's office.

If you notice your pet isn't as active as he used to be, it could be more than just old age. It could be a debilitating ailment taking years off his life. The good news is, the state of Georgia is leading the way in finding a solution.

Until recently, Sam was an energetic, spry, highly trained, agility dog.

But now spindalosis and arthritis have taken hold of the Border Collie's joints, making simple movements extremely painful.

"He'd gotten to where just going up steps was painful -- in the house, to the van -- day to day, he was hurting," said Sam's owner Pam Hays.

Most of the time, the solution is a series of medications to manage the pain, but a procedure gaining in popularity is stem cell therapy.

The animal's own fat cells are collected from the pet and then the stem cells are transplanted into the degenerative joints.

It used to be a multi-day process, but new technology allows vets to perform the procedure in one day - right in the office.

Dr. Kevin Brantly of the Loving Touch Animal Center is performing Sam's surgery - the first in a vet's office in the state of Georgia.

"People get arthritis and degenerative joint disease but it is not as rapid a process as it is in dogs. Dogs don't live as long," said veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brantly.

Doctors say Sam should see a significant increase in mobility in the next 3 to 4 weeks - pain free. Sam's owner says while she's retired the champion from jumping, she can't wait to see him up to his old tricks.

"He still likes to play Frisbee, so I'm hoping we can go back to an active game of Frisbee in the afteoon," said Hays.

According to doctors, the new stem cell procedure is less than half the cost of the old technology.