General Regenerative Medicine Common Questions
Can Regenerative Medicine Help my Dog?
If your dog has been suffering from arthritis or tendon or ligament injuries, your dog may be a candidate for regenerative medicine. A visit to your veterinarian and a thorough diagnosis of your dog’s injury will determine which treatment option is best.
How are the therapies administered?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and BMAC stem cells are typically administer by injection directly to the area of injury. This includes injecting directly into a joint, tendon or ligament. For cases involving wound care, the therapy is administered topically, similar to a wound dressing. BMAC stem cells are typically administered in combination with PRP for optimal treatment effects.
Platelet Rich Plasma Common Questions
How is Platelet Rich Plasma obtained?
A small amount of blood is taken from your dog and is processed using a specialized system that concentrates the platelets and the plasma. Once the PRP processing is complete, it is injected directly into the area of injury.
How long does the procedure take?
Processing for PRP can be done in less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
Will my dog need anesthesia?
Your dog may need to be anesthetized for injection depending on the location of injured tissue.
How long before I see results from PRP therapy?
Results from PRP therapy vary depending on the injury being treated. 50% of dogs require a second treatment of PRP for clinical results to be apparent.
How long do results last?
Many veterinarians have noted therapeutic effects to last between 6 to 9 months for dogs with mild to moderate osteoarthritis.
Are there any side-effects?
Because PRP is from your dog’s own blood, there are usually very few side effects from treatment. Your veterinarian can discuss any risks with you prior to the procedure. Immediately after treatment, your dog may be sore from the injection but this soreness should subside within a few days. If you have further questions or concerns about your pet following treatment, you should always contact your veterinarian directly.
Stem Cell Common Questions
How are BMAC stem cells obtained?
While under general anesthesia, a needle is inserted into the bone (most commonly the hip or femur). A small amount of bone marrow is collected and is then processed in less than 20 minutes. Once the processing is complete, the stem cells are then directly injected into the area of injury.
How long does the procedure take?
From start to finish, the collection and processing of BMAC stem cells takes less than 30 minutes.
Will my dog need anesthesia?
Yes- your dog will need to be under general anesthesia for the duration of the procedure.
How long before I see results?
Similar to PRP therapy, results from BMAC stem cell therapy vary depending on the injury being treated. Only about 10% of dogs require a second treatment of BMAC stem cells for clinical results to be apparent.
How long do results last?
Most veterinarians have noted that dogs with moderate to severe osteoarthritis will show marked improvement for more than a year with one treatment of stem cells.
Are there any side effects?
Similar to PRP therapy, since the cells are from your dog’s own body, there are usually very few side-effects. Your veterinarian can discuss any risks with you prior to the procedure. Immediately after the procedure, your dog may be sore at the bone marrow collection site as well as the injection site(s). Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for rehabilitation and follow up. If you have further questions or concerns about your pet following treatment, you should always contact your veterinarian directly.
Can the cells be saved for future use?
Stem cells have the ability to be banked in the event that future treatments are needed. Costs may vary and should be discussed with your veterinarian.
