Roxy Needs You: Stem Cell Therapy for Relief

All my life, I have strived to give my Roxy girl the best life possible. For those who have followed our journey, you know that eight years ago, we had a home invasion, and Roxy was unfortunately targeted and was shot in her front right leg. The bullet hit an artery, and this sadly led to her leg needing to be amputated. Mama has never let down through these long roads of recovery. The latest “therapy” and medicine we have been trying the last year is Librela. This is a monthly injectable medication that treats pain caused by osteoarthritis in dogs. I decided to give this medicine a try because Roxy was beginning to show struggles to simply stand up to eat her meals, drink water, and even just balance to go outside to pee and poop. After only the first Librela injection, Roxy began to show immediate progress within a few days and was back on her three legs, hopping around and seemed to be full of joy and happiness again. I couldn’t remember the last time she could move around as well as she was. Therefore, I continued with monthly Librela injections up until last month, December 2024.

Then on my birthday two weeks ago (1/18), I was carrying Roxy to the truck for her swimming session when I slipped on some ice in my driveway. Roxy and I both went down, but when I fell, I injured Roxy badly, and I immediately feared the worst. We went to APEX Vets & got x-rays done. Thankfully, x-rays showed no signs of breaks or fractures in her front leg. However, the doctor did confirm what I have been fearing and not wanting to accept. Roxy has severe arthritis all around her front knee.

Now the Instagram world has been a game-changer. ALL the loving and caring followers from literally around the world started messaging me. Then a few asked if I have investigated Stem Cell Therapy. I was not aware whatsoever that this type of treatment was available for ALL our amazing pups! So, I began researching to see if there was a veterinary hospital around our area offering stem cell therapy. I was filled with excitement when Jefferson Veterinary Hospital, located in Jefferson, MD, was listed as one of the top locations offering this new, state-of-the-art treatment. See link below (and watch the short video):

https://www.jeffersonvethospital.com/stem-cell-therapy-veterinarian-maryland

We had our consultation yesterday afternoon (1/31/2025). The staff was hands-down more welcoming than I could have ever imagined. Roxy weighed in at 70 pounds and in great health. The good news is the doctor stated that after seeing her x-rays and completing a physical exam yesterday, he feels Roxy is a perfect candidate for this breakthrough operation.

Bad news is the doctor confirmed that there is also severe arthritis in her shoulder and her wrist as well. The doctor also stated that due to the severity of arthritis, the window for Stem Cell therapy to be effective is drastically closing. Therefore, this treatment must be done within a month.

So, there’s no other way to put it; I’m once again, begging all of you for financial assistance so that my Roxy can continue living her life to the fullest as her 10th birthday approaches on March 7th. I just bought my first home in September 2024, and my entire life savings went to this purchase. I have around $1,000 on my own to put towards this treatment. However, the remaining estimated balance is what I’m praying, hoping, and begging all of you for help. The cost is on the higher end since stem cells will need to be injected in her shoulder, elbow, and ankle. In addition, because her arthritis is so severe, the doctor assured us that we will need to also bank cells from the initial treatment at an offsite stem cell storage bank, so that retreatment does not require surgery. All the hospital will need to do is request a dose of cells from the bank and reintroduce the cells back into Roxy’s shoulder, elbow, and ankle. Stem cell therapy typically lasts between 1-4 years after the initial treatment. However, in Roxy’s case, it may need to be done every year due to the amount of arthritis and her only having three legs.

If you can donate, words will once again never express how greatly I will be. All I have ever strived to be is the best dog dad in the world. If you cannot donate, please share this story and GoFundMe link with everyone you know. Please repost and share on your stories. Please leave words of encouragement for us. I need to hear that everything is going to work out. I feel ashamed to even have to ask for help again. But when it comes to Roxy, and everything she has done for me, and for all the people who have followed her journey for 9+ years, my pride kind of gets kicked to the curb. I will do anything to give her the longest, happiest life possible. I have attached the Procedure Estimate and a few pictures of Roxy from our visit yesterday. Please help. Please share. If anyone has any questions, do not hesitate to DM me on Instagram.

#RoxyStrong,

Brenton, Juls, Ghost & Roxy