Discover PRP and Stem Cell Therapy at Springs Road Animal Hospital
Watching your dog struggle to get up from bed or noticing your cat becoming less active can be heartbreaking. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting pets, especially as they age. While traditional treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications can help manage discomfort, advances in veterinary regenerative medicine are providing exciting new options for long-term relief.
At Springs Road Animal Hospital, we are excited to offer regenerative medicine therapies, including Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy and Autologous Stem Cell Therapy, for dogs and cats suffering from osteoarthritis and other chronic conditions.
What Is Regenerative Medicine for Pets?
Regenerative medicine focuses on helping the body repair and heal damaged tissues naturally. These treatments use your pet’s own biological materials to support healing, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility.
The two most common regenerative therapies offered in veterinary medicine are:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
- Autologous Stem Cell Therapy
Both therapies have been used successfully in equine medicine for years and are now helping dogs and cats enjoy a better quality of life.
PRP Therapy for Dogs and Cats with Arthritis
What Is PRP?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is created using a sample of your pet’s own blood. Platelets naturally contain growth factors that play an important role in tissue repair and healing.
To create PRP, our veterinary team:
- Draws a blood sample from your pet.
- Processes the sample in our hospital to concentrate the platelets.
- Injects the concentrated PRP into affected joints.
How Does PRP Help Osteoarthritis?
PRP therapy helps reduce inflammation and supports the body’s natural healing response within the joint. Many pets experience improved comfort, mobility, and activity levels following treatment.
What to Expect During PRP Treatment
- Performed on an outpatient basis
- Joint injections are typically administered under light sedation
- Uses your pet’s own blood
- Minimal recovery time
How Long Does PRP Last?
Many pets experience benefits for approximately 3 to 6 months, although results may last longer when combined with complementary therapies such as laser therapy.
Can PRP Be Combined with Other Arthritis Treatments?
Yes. PRP therapy can be used alongside:
- Laser therapy
- Adequan® injections
- Type II collagen supplements such as Flexadin®
- Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements
- Anti-inflammatory medications (when appropriate)
Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs and Cats
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Autologous Stem Cell Therapy uses mesenchymal stem cells derived from your pet’s own adipose (fat) tissue. These specialized cells can help reduce inflammation and support healing in damaged tissues and joints.
How Stem Cell Therapy Works
During the procedure:
- Your pet is placed under anesthesia.
- A small sample of adipose tissue is collected.
- Stem cells are processed in our hospital.
- The cells are injected into affected joints or other treatment areas.
Conditions That May Benefit from Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy is commonly used to help pets with:
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendon and ligament injuries
- Chronic inflammatory conditions
- Certain autoimmune diseases
- Skin conditions
How Long Does Stem Cell Therapy Last?
Many pets experience improvement for 6 to 12 months or longer, depending on the severity of their condition. Most pets begin showing improvement within weeks and may continue improving over several months following treatment.
Is Stem Cell Therapy Safe?
Because the cells come from your pet’s own body, stem cell therapy has very few side effects. However, not every pet is a candidate.
Before treatment, our veterinarians will evaluate your pet’s overall health and determine whether anesthesia and regenerative therapy are appropriate. Pets with metastatic cancer may not be suitable candidates.
Stem Cell Banking for Future Use
Stem cells can be cryopreserved and stored for future treatments. We also offer proactive stem cell banking for pet owners interested in preserving stem cells while their pets are younger and healthier.
What Conditions Can Regenerative Medicine Treat in Dogs?
Although osteoarthritis is one of the most common applications, regenerative medicine may also help dogs experiencing:
- Degenerative joint disease
- Tendon and ligament injuries
- Traumatic injuries
- Chronic inflammatory conditions
- Autoimmune diseases
- Certain skin disorders
What Conditions Can Regenerative Medicine Treat in Cats?
Cats can also benefit from regenerative therapies for conditions including:
- Arthritis
- Chronic stomatitis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Skin conditions
Why Consider Regenerative Medicine for Your Pet?
Traditional arthritis treatments often focus on managing symptoms. Regenerative medicine aims to support the body’s natural healing processes and may help improve comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life.
For many pets, regenerative therapies can be used:
- As an alternative to certain medications
- Alongside existing arthritis treatments
- To help reduce reliance on long-term anti-inflammatory medications
- As part of a comprehensive pain management plan
Schedule a Regenerative Medicine Consultation
Springs Road Animal Hospital is excited to bring PRP Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy to our canine and feline patients.
If your dog or cat is slowing down, struggling with arthritis, or living with a chronic condition that may benefit from regenerative medicine, we’d love to discuss your options.
Call us today at (828) 256-2151 to schedule a consultation and learn whether regenerative medicine is right for your pet.