Regenerative Medicine: The Next Frontier of Healing
At Better Health Animal Hospital, we are dedicated to delivering the most innovative care possible for your cherished pets. As part of our commitment to advanced veterinary medicine, we’re proud to offer SAME DAY pet stem cell therapy to our patients.
In veterinary medicine, regenerative medicine treatments, such as stem cell therapy, involve the therapeutic use of a pet’s own tissue to promote healing and reduce inflammation. These treatments can be particularly beneficial for pets suffering from arthritis, tendon and ligament injuries, and other degenerative conditions. The goal is to enhance the body’s natural ability to heal itself, improving your pet’s quality of life and mobility.
Stem Cell Therapy
This minimally invasive procedure involves extracting a small amount of fat, processing it to isolate the stem cells, and injecting these potent cells into the affected area. Stem cells are unique because they have the potential to develop into different types of cells and tissues. Stem cells are harvested from your pet’s own fat tissue, and the collection of this tissue can even be done at the same time as a routine surgery, and then banked for future use. Once injected, stem cells reduce inflammation, promote tissue regeneration, and accelerate the healing process. Stem cell therapy can be particularly effective for conditions such as osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, and ligament injuries.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP therapy involves using your pet’s own blood to promote healing. A small amount of blood is drawn and processed to concentrate the platelets, which are rich in growth factors that aid in tissue repair and regeneration. The concentrated PRP is then injected into the injured area, stimulating the healing process, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue regeneration. PRP therapy is particularly effective for treating tendon and ligament injuries, joint inflammation, and even certain skin conditions.
Benefits of Pet Stem Cell Therapy
Regenerative therapy offers several benefits for your pets:
- Minimally Invasive and Natural: Stem cell and PRP therapies involve minimally invasive procedures with little to no downtime. It targets the sources of the problem with your pet’s own stem cells. It’s an all-natural alternative to drugs and steroids.
- Reducing Pain and Inflammation: These therapies help to reduce pain and inflammation, providing relief for pets suffering from chronic conditions.
- Enhancing Healing: Regenerative therapy can accelerate recovery and enhance overall outcomes by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes.
FAQ on stem cells and PRP
How do you collect stem cells from my pet?
Stem cells are collected by removing fat tissue from your pet. This is done while your pet is under general anesthesia. Where we collect fat will vary depending on your pet’s needs. We then harvest the stem cells from the fat by mechanical and enzymatic digestion in our in-house laboratory.
How many stem cells will be collected?
Our goal is to collect as many as possible. The fat is collected and then processed to harvest stem cells. We do not know the number of vials collected till the fat is processed. Patients that have a higher body mass are more likely to have more stem cells harvested. It is possible that some pets may only have one or two vials, while others may have seven or more vials.
What is the processing and storage like?
Stem cells can be processed in the clinic and given on the same day. The remaining stem cells will be sent to Ardent Animal Health Labs to be properly stored in liquid nitrogen. If your pet is not currently in need of stem cell therapy, we can collect the fat, and send it to be processed with Ardent. Once processed, Ardent would store the stem cells until they are needed for your pet.
How long does stem cells last after each injection?
It depends on the condition we are treating. If we are providing therapy for a condition, it is possible that the stem cells harvested will not last a lifetime. Each pet will have a carefully personalized therapeutic plan. Some pets may only need two or three treatments, while others may need more. That is why we collect as many stem cells as possible during their surgery.
If you think your pet could benefit from regenerative therapy, please contact us today at (714) 707-5108 to schedule a consultation.