Stem Cell Therapy
Around 80% of dogs show a marked clinical improvement following stem cell therapy. This improvement manifests as increased activity and willingness to exercise, reduced pain and stiffness in affected joints and a reduced dependence on medication. It may take up to 8 weeks before the full effects of stem cell therapy are seen, and a number of patients may require a repeat injection some months after the initial treatment. A sample of each patient’s stem cells are kept at the laboratory for any future culture and so if a second injection is necessary, this can be carried out without the need for collection of a second fat sample, though a repeat blood sample will be required.
A small proportion of dogs will show a transitory increase in lameness for up to two weeks following injection of stem cells.
Stem cell therapy is such a new treatment that the likely duration of effect is a little unpredictable. Clinical trials have shown a sustained significant improvement in study dogs 6 months after treatment and many dogs continue to enjoy relief up to a year following initial therapy.
At Rata we use an established and experienced external laboratory called Cell Therapy Sciences to ensure we deliver the highest quality Stem Cell product. Visit their website to learn more about this treatment modality. You can read our guide for veterinary practices here and our information sheet for owners can be found here.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
An alternative regenerative medicine that can be offered in practice is platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This involves injecting a concentrated preparation of the patient’s own platelets into the area of injury or disease. Platelets release growth factors that stimulate healing and reduce inflammation.
Conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendon and ligament injuries, and cases where PRP is used as an adjunct to stem cell therapy may benefit from this treatment.
The procedure involves collecting a set volume of blood from the patient, which is then centrifuged to obtain the platelet-rich layer. This concentrate is injected into the target site using aseptic technique. Sedation or general anaesthesia is usually required.
Several randomised, controlled studies have demonstrated improvements in lameness, pain scores, and peak vertical force in dogs with osteoarthritis (Fahie et al., 2013; Alves et al., 2021). The study by Alves et al. (2021) also showed improved LOAD scores in the PRP group compared with the saline control group at 180 days post-injection. However, the data indicate a gradual decline in effect over time, supporting findings from other prospective studies that suggest repeat injections may be required 3–12 months after the initial treatment. This is an important consideration to discuss with owners.
Fahie, M. A., Ortolano, G. A., Guercio, V., Schaffer, J. A., Johnston, G., Au, J., Hettlich, B. A., Phillips, T., Allen, M. J., & Bertone, A. L. (2013). A randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of autologous platelet therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 243(9), 1291-1297. Retrieved Aug 27, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.243.9.1291
Alves JC, Santos A, Jorge P. Platelet-rich plasma therapy in dogs with bilateral hip osteoarthritis. BMC Vet Res. 2021 Jun 5;17(1):207. doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02913-x. PMID: 34090433; PMCID: PMC8180029.
