According to an article on WBZTV.com, there is a new stem cell procedure that can help senior dogs with debilitating arthritis. The journalist Malika Marshall, MD points out that there is not much controversy with the procedure because stem cells from the aging dog’s fat are harvested and used for the treatment. One of the facilities certified to do the procedure is Massachusetts SPCA-Angell that covers Boston and Nantucket Island area. There are surgeons within this organization that are successfully treating senior dogs with arthritis at this time. The therapy costs approximately $2500. The company that developed the technology, Vet-Stem Inc. of California claims an 75% success rate. For people with working dogs that have degenerative arthritis from repeated jumping, running, turning, etc., this may be a very viable procedure. I know for Opie if she checked out healthy and I had the funds that I would make sure that her pain was relieved in this way instead of medication that could damage her liver.