Family dog undergoes new stem cell treatment

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WXYZ) - An amazing new stem cell treatment is underway in Michigan. It's the first of its kind in our state and it’s for animals, not humans.

The patient is Reuben, a rescued English Springer Spaniel who is about eight or nine years old and suffers from hip dysplasia. Normally, an animal or human in Reuben's condition would have to undergo hip replacement surgery.

In an effort to try and ease his pain, Reuben’s owners have invested about $2,000 in a treatment called “In Clinic Stem Cell Therapy.” As part of the therapy, stem cells are harvested from Reuben’s fat and then injected back into him in the hope they help heal the inflamed areas.

Other clinics in Michigan perform the procedure, but this is the first time that the stem cells have been harvested, processed and injected in the same clinic on the same day.

Reuben's owners have high hopes for the procedure.

We'll continue to follow Reuben's progress.