Irmo, S.C. (WACH) - Beth Phibbs was searching for answers and a cure for the painful arthritis affecting her 12-year-old Boykin Spaniel Maggie.
"One was just to keep her on pain medication, to increase it substantially, the second was the stem cell and the third was a more invasive surgery."
Phibbs chose option "B", stem cell therapy.
On Monday, Banks animal hospital in Irmo performed the first such procedure in Columbia and Maggie was the first patient. It uses the body's own healing power to cure arthritis, tendon, and ligament damage in animals.
"We've treated dogs, cats, zebras, horses; we've treated a number of different animals,” said Jason Richardson, who’s company Medi-Vets owns the technology.
Richardson says some of Maggie’s fat tissue was removed and stem cells inside the fat tissue were separated then injected into the affected areas.
Phibbs is hoping this surgery will let Maggie enjoy the things she used to do before she got sick.
"She likes to run. play, and jump," said Phibbs "In her heyday, Maggie could literally, if a bird swooped too low, she could jump up and catch it."
It will be at least six weeks before Maggie can do any of those things again and it will be at least six weeks before doctors and Phibbs know if the procedure was a success.
Phibbs simply wants her dog to live a life free of pain and suffering.
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