Stem Transplant Dog Goes In For More Treatment
Posted: 7:38 pm PST December 7, 2006Updated: 9:08 am PST December 8, 2006
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- A Seattle dog that was the second dog in the world to get a stem cell transplant is undergoing another cutting-edge procedure.KIRO 7 Eyewitness News has been following the story of Bailey, her owners and the Bellingham vet who is using the latest technology in hopes of saving Bailey's life.She doesn’t look sick, but Bailey has cancer. It's a relapse of the lymphoma she got a year ago.Last spring, Bailey went to Washington State University, where she was treated with radiation before having a history-making stem cell transplant.
It seemed to work, until a few weeks ago. Bailey’s owner, Cathy Von Hartmann, says, "she wasn’t eating and that's one of her favorite things besides sleeping is eating."Von Haartmann is a Seattle schoolteacher and has already spent more than $20,000 on Bailey. But she and daughter Meggie didn’t hesitate to commit to a new procedure."We know there's something we can do,” Von Haartment says, “and we've already invested so much. Bailey's still in great shape so, it's still worth it."So the Von Haartmanns are at the Bellingham Veterinary and Critical Care, where Bailey's donor -- Clifford -- is back on the operating table.Clifford is Bailey's brother. His owner allowed him to donate stem cells last spring, for Bailey’s previous stem cell transplant.Today Clifford is back on the operating table, giving white blood cells -- cells which have been pretreated with an anti-tumor vaccine.Bailey’s veterinarian, Dr. Ed Sullivan, says "white blood cells from Clifford that hopefully will boost Bailey's new immune system to eliminate any tumor cells."Dr. Sullivan pioneered the procedure along with stem cell transplants in dogs. Dr. Sullivan has his hopes up, “of course, I hope that it works because Bailey and Cathy and Meggie have been through so much."So much so, that Cathy was prompted to get a tattoo. It reads: “Serendipity.” Bailey's full name is Serendipitous Bailey Girl.Von Haartman promises that, “whatever happens with Bailey, I want to remember this forever for the rest of my life. Bailey is the best.”Once Bailey gets the infusion, it will be a matter of weeks to learn how she is doing. If you would like to follow her progress, log on to www.savebailey.com.
Check Bailey's Progress! |
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