Dog lovers taking extraordinary steps to save their pets 

10:39 PM PDT on Thursday, May 19, 2005

By ERIC WILKINSON / KING 5 News

To Meggie von Haartman, 5-year-old Bailey is more than a family pet. The beagle is a constant companion around the house, on holidays, even on family vacations.

"She's like my baby. She's like one of my favorite things in the whole world," said Meggie.

So when Bailey was diagnosed with lymphoma, the most common cancer for dogs, the family wasn't ready to let go.

"She's part of the family, like a family member, so we knew we'd try every avenue we could to save her," said Meggie.

KING

When Bailey was diagnosed with lymphoma, the most common cancer for dogs, the family wasn't ready to let go.

Even with chemotherapy, most dogs with lymphoma die within a year-and-a-half. But now a Bellingham veterinarian says he can cure that cancer, and others, using a procedure previously reserved for people.

Dr. Edmund Sullivan is pioneering stem cell transplants for dogs, including Bailey.

"It's not even really experimental. It's applying current knowledge to dogs," said Dr. Sullivan.

It's the same treatment used on humans, and just as arduous.

The most difficult and time-consuming part is finding a stem cell match from a direct relative of the dog.

The animal is eventually put through a piece of equipment called a linear accelerator at Washington State University.

It's a long, intense, not-to-mention expensive process, costing anywhere from $20,000 to $45,000.

And, just like with people, there are no guarantees it will work.

But it's a chance the von Haartmans are eager to take. The family is using money Meggie was saving to buy a house.

"Some people that don't have pets would think, 'what an idiot,'" she said. "I think it's just a value call - what's important to you. When I look at Bailey's little brown eyes I'm just telling her we're doing everything we can for her."

KING

Comet is now cancer-free.

Nina Hallett's dog Comet is living proof the procedure can work. Comet, diagnosed with lymphoma, is now cancer-free for almost a year. But the procedure came with a cost Nina never expected - angry letters from people calling her the "poster child for decadence" after spending $45,000 to save her then 7-year-old pet.

"It's our money. We had it. We worked for it. And we believe we've done a good thing," she said.

That's what the von Haartmans believe as well.

"Maybe if I do nothing else, by doing this for Bailey, in turn it will help other dogs, that I'm doing something positive," said Meggie.

There are some veterinarians doing stem cell research on dogs, but it appears Dr. Sullivan is the only one in the U.S. performing actual transplants.