干细胞可以延长宠物的生命 Stem Cells Can Extend Your Pets' Lives

aoppolle

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- There's a new procedure that could give you more time with your pets.
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2 k6 H6 r3 b. Y# k  W: zVeterinarians are using stem cells to help with arthritis issues.
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"It was heartbreaking to see her not be a part of the family anymore," said dog owner Bill Chuchro.- U1 B( I+ ?) C+ y4 {

( C  E: U% Y' cChuchro and Lily have been inseparable for more than a decade, and when Lily started staying behind rather than being his shadow, Chuchro knew something was wrong.
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% H9 L0 t1 R* O"As the arthritis got worse she started hiding back in the corners, staying out of the way because she couldn't get out of the way fast enough," he said.
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; q$ C# n) c- x* J# g; dChuchro hopped on the Internet and found out stem cells aren't just helping humans these days.
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) Z# i& l: w. G- `# e"These dogs are crippling to where it's difficult for the owners to continue to watch their dogs like that," said Adobe Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr. Tom Newland.; \: i& \2 t( z* }

8 b) j, `8 e: K6 l" _He's using adult stem cells from the very dog who needs them to regrow cartilage. Newland takes the cells out of the dog's fat and injects them into their joints.
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It's helping arthritic dogs like Lily get that youthful skip back into her step.
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"Now she'll run down the hall; she didn't run before," Chuchro said.
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! [  l. W" \7 B/ Z! U: oLily was the first dog in Arizona to have the surgery. It takes only a few hours and your pooch can come home with you right after it's done.
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It isn't exactly cheap. The surgery costs around $2,000.
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It's a small price, Chuchro said, to have his buddy back.  @) ^9 O/ h3 _1 I8 }5 D/ v0 N
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"It was well worth it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat," he said.) z, e; |6 y# Y& Y# d

. c  A0 T! |' xNewland said the surgery can be done on cats too.
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; W! W7 U9 q) M- Y  {4 i! ^( uHe also said there's some encouraging news for human patients.: Y& M6 o& V# X9 T! _+ v
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Newland guesses the procedure will be available to people in the next few years.