New Regenerative Product Delivery For Pets

As seen on Channel 3 WKYC.com

RICHMOND HTS. — More than 20 percent of dogs suffer from osteoarthritis and many owners are always looking for ways to give their pets better quality of life and decreased pain. Stem cell therapy is an option after traditional treatments have failed, but many owners fear the risk of putting an older dog under sedation.

Dr. Jeffrey Richman, of Richman Animal Clinic in Richmond Heights, wanted to find a better option for his own dog. Coop is an 11 1/2 year old Irish Setter who has severe arthritis from his neck to his pelvis. It made it difficult for the dog to walk.

Richman wanted to avoid anesthesia and surgery for Coop so he opted to try a new type of stem cell delivery. He contacted a lab that specializes is collecting stem cells from the amniotic fluid of a dog who just gave birth.

Similar to how humans bank umbilical cord blood for the stem cells. The stem cells arrive from the lab frozen and then are thawed and put into an IV bag and slowly injected into the dog. The stem cells then go where they need to go.

For Coop, the results were almost immediate, his gait improved and he seemed to be in less pain.

Richman now offers the treatment to his clients. It costs between $2,500 and $3,000 and is covered by some pet insurance plans. However, it’s not a permanent fix and it may take several weeks before the stem cells show marked improvement. But for pet owners concerned about sedation and avoiding surgery, it’s an option that may bring some relief.