Stem Cells Ease Pain of Horses and Dogs

By Cindy Wolff

Local veterinarian Dr. Kathy Mitchener is using a new stem cell replacement procedure to relieve pain in arthritic dogs and horses.

Mitchener, founder of Angel Care Cancer and Acupuncture Clinic, received training and certification to perform the procedure in December.

In the stem cell procedure, Mitchener removes fat cells from animals that are fully sedated. The cells are shipped overnight to a clinic in San Diego, which recovers stem and regenerative cells from the fat and ships them back within 48 hours. The cells are implanted into problem areas, such as hips or knees, through an injection and intravenous line. Within days, the animals are moving more freely and with less pain.

Her first four patients showed improvement in movement in just a few days. Mitchener said it helps rejuvenate torn ligaments in horses and joint tissue in dogs suffering from arthritis.

Mitchener believes it will give quality of life to older animals and help younger ones that have joint ailments not associated with age.

The new procedure is part of Mitchener’s movement toward pain management in animals. She began practicing acupuncture a few years ago to ease pain in her oncology patients.

"Most pet owners tell me they want more time with their animals and they don’t want them to suffer," Mitchener said. "I’m always looking for ways to make that possible."

The procedure was pioneered on the West Coast, where patients have shown long-term benefits. Mitchener is one of 100 vets certified to perform the therapy and the first one to do it in Memphis.

Between 75 to 85 percent of the animals showed improvements after the procedure, lasting for as long as 18 months.

It costs between $2,600 to $3,000 for the procedure, which includes all the blood work and two surgical procedures.

To find out more, call Angel Care at 385-9172. The clinic is in Shelby Center Hospital for Animals at 6923 Stage near Summer.

Sit! Stand!

Basic obedience classes will be held Mondays, 6-7 p.m. starting April 7, at the Off-Leash Dog Park, 1695 Riverdale, north of Poplar, . Sponsored by Shelby County Obedience Club and Germantown Parks and Recreation Dept. Cost: $80. Call 757-7376.

Seminar, "Selecting the Right Dog for You," Memphis Shelby County Humane Society, 6:30-8:15 p.m., Tuesday, 935 Farm Road. Free.

Adoptions

All animals are spayed/neutered and current on vaccinations

Dogs: Horse Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Petco, 7680 Poplar in Germantown. $50. horsecreekwildlife.org.

Dogs: Dogs 2nd Chance, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Tractor Supply Co., 8247 U.S. 51 North in Millington. $125. dogs2ndchance.petfinder.com.

Dogs, cats, puppies, kittens: DeSoto Animal Rescue Society, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, PetSmart, 7941 Winchester. Dogs and puppies: $90. Cats and kittens: $75. 662-342-9448 or desotopetlovers.org.

Dogs, cats, Animal World and Memphis Animal Services, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Petco, 3468 Poplar at Highland. $75. animalworldusa.org or 454-0807.

Dogs, puppies, Good Dog Rescue, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Agricenter Farmer’s Market. $125-$175.

gdrescue.petfinder.com pr 276-7751.

Dogs and puppies: West Tennessee Border Collie Rescue, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Hollywood Feed, 7685 Farmington in Germantown, $200, tnbordercollierescue.com tnbordercollierescue.com.

Cindy Wolff, the owner of three spoiled dogs, can be reached by e- mailing wolff@commercialappeal.com, or by sending mail to The Commercial Appeal, 495 Union, Memphis, Tenn. 38103 or by calling (901) 529-5220. Visit her Blog at blog.commercialappeal.com/pets/