By Daily
Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:01 AM on 08th October 2009
A paralysed dog has been
put back on his feet again, raising hopes of a treatment for humans with severe
spinal injuries.
Henry the miniature
dachshund was unable to walk after discs ruptured in his spine last November.
In a pioneering
treatment, scientists at
These cells are used
because they aid the growth of new nerve fibres.
Now the six-year-old
dog is walking and wagging his tail again.
Scientists originally
found the treatment worked on rats. Professor Nick Jeffery and Professor Robin
Franklin, who are running the trial, then decided to try the procedure on dogs
because spinal injuries are common in many breeds.
Henry has also
received physiotherapy and is monitored on a treadmill.
Dr Jeffrey said: 'We
hope if the results are positive in a few years time the treatment could
perhaps be used to help people.'
Scientists at
'It's incredible, I
didn't think Henry would ever be able to walk again, but over the last few
months he has been wagging his tail and taking small steps,' said owner Sarah
Beech, 34, from Birmingham.
'The vet told me to
put him to sleep because he wouldn't have a very good quality of life and he
was very depressed. But this treatment has really helped.'
Henry had always
enjoyed going for walks but suddenly lost the use of his legs about a year ago.
'One day he yelped
when I picked him up and two days later he couldn't walk,' she added.
'The discs in his
back were pushing into his spinal cord and eventually he lost the use of his
back legs and continence.
'I think he may have
fallen down the stairs at some point before I bought him as his spine was quite
badly damaged.' Henry was given an operation to ease the pressure on his
spine, but it didn't work.
Then Sarah heard
about the new treatment for severe spinal cord injuries and decided to enlist
him in the trial.
Cells were harvested
from his nose in March and injected back into his spine after four weeks.
Just a month later
Henry took his first steps.
'He can take at least
four steps now so he is making good progress,' said Sarah.
'His tail is also
starting to get back to its original shape which shows he is getting some
feeling back.'
Dr Jeffery said:
''Most dogs with spinal injuries can be treated conventionally and make a good
recovery, but this procedure is intended for particularly severe cases.
'Cells are collected
from inside the back of the nose as these special cells are capable of
supporting the growth of new nerve fibres.
'We then increase the
cell numbers, purify them and place them back into the damaged region of the
spinal cord, where they help new fibres to grow.'
After the procedure
dogs are given physiotherapy and monitored on a treadmill to see how much
movement has returned to their legs.
'The potential of
this procedure is enormous,' Dr Jeffery added.
'We hope if the
results are positive in a few years time the treatment could perhaps be used to
help people.'