Surf Paws Animal Hospital

"Surf Paws Animal Hospital on Thursday administered a new stem cell therapy treatment to 13-year-old Kumba. Kumba's owner, Rumi Hospodar, watched through the window as he was carried back from surgery."

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jun 22, 2012
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Cutting-edge technology is helping Hawaii's pets live better lives for months, even years.

We were there as a beloved dog named Kumba received one of the first-ever, in-clinic stem cell therapy surgeries in the islands. 13 year old Kumba doesn't know he's a guinea pig. The Rottweiler-Lab mix is one of the first in Hawaii to undergo the stem cell procedure at Surf Paws in Hawaii Kai.

Stem Cell technology does not involve embryonic stem cells; MediVet-America’s Stem Cell kits use the adult animal’s own stem cells taken from their fat, to heal and repair, therefore there are no ethical issues and the method is extremely safe. We have seen dramatic improvement in pain relief and range of motion for dogs and cats. Moreover, if you have pet insurance, some companies may cover eighty percent of the cost. In this video Dr Cristina Miliaresis/Surf Paws Animal Hospital and Carole Spangler Vaughn, Ph.D./MediVet Hawaii LLC. For additional information or questions, please call our office at 395-3647.

Stem cell therapy has shown to have success in treating animals diagnosed with arthritis and other degenerative diseases.  Now, the treatment is more convenient and affordable.

Stem cell therapy for animals uses an adult animal's own stem cells to help them heal themselves.  The first in-clinic stem cell therapy procedure for animals in Honolulu was performed Thursday.

13-year-old Kumba might think he's a puppy, but he shows his age when he walks and as he struggles to get up.

Dog gets stem cell treatment for arthritis

Stem cell therapy has gone to the dogs. The technology aimed at giving ailing pets a new lease on life has arrived in Hawaii.

13-year-old Kumba is still a bit dazed, coming out of general anesthesia. The veterinarian at Surf Paws Animal Hospital just extracted about two tablespoons of fat tissue from the dog. Stem cells from that fat tissue will then be used to help him with his arthritis.