Tuesday, November 20, 2012
IVDD Dachshund Walks Again After Nose Cell Transplant
Meet Jasper. He's an English Black and Tan that was suffering with a spinal injury and unable to use his back legs. His owners volunteered him for a trial at Cambridge University to see whether cells from a dog's nose can improve the nerve connections in its spine. Doctors found that the olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) support nerve fiber growth connecting the nose to the brain and can also regenerate nerve fibers in damaged spinal cords. After six months of walking on a treadmill, Jasper's owners say he now "whizzes around the house." Researchers hope that this might lead to advancement toward a cure for human spinal-cord injuries.
Read more, and see a longer, better video at BBC News.
Remember, if your Dachshund shows signs and symptoms of back issues, or goes completely down where they can't walk, there are options out there! Take your dog to your vet immediately, and listen to the good advice offered at Dodgerslist, your Dachshund disc disease/IVDD resource. There's always a link to them in the links column on your right. They have a very active discussion list, and are real pros when it comes to offering advice for IVDD Dachshunds and general Dachshund health.
Thanks to all the good folks who sent in links to this exciting news in the world of Dachshunds, who often fall prey to back issues or IVDD, intervertebral disc disease. We got so many dozens of emails on this that we can't even thank everyone personally. But we're hoping to post some great pics we got of these News Hounds tomorrow. Stay Tuned Dachshund Lovers.
1 comment:
Wasn't this the BEST article? We howled cheers of happiness not just for amazing Jasper but for the hope it gives to some many others. Someday soon, medicine for both pets and people, will be able to accomplish what we now think is impossible.
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