Regenerative Medicine

What is Regenerative Medicine?

Regenerative medicine is both an old and new way to look at treating everything from osteoarthritis, and dental disease to tendon and ligament repair. The focus in regenerative practice is to use the natural healing methods of the body to the patient’s advantage. Here at Zia Pet Hospital, we combine the power of laser therapy, acupuncture, oral supplements, and the latest cellular and biologic therapy. For example, we use the new generation monthly antibody injections to control itching, pain, and osteoarthritis. When the basic therapies don’t elevate our patient to the quality of life that we expect, we can add platelets, stem cells, and cytokines to move things forward.


What to expect with your pet’s first regenerative medicine appointment?

First, we need to perform a complete physical examination to fully document what is causing your pet’s issue. Then we need to use diagnostics to confirm the extent of the disease, injury or pain source. Finally, we will talk about our findings and explore both conventional and regenerative ways to keep your pet healthy, pain-free, and living an active life.


With Dr. Hale’s background in new product development, we explore the newest scientific methods. We have the opportunity to offer our patients clinical trial slots with FDA-reviewed clinical trials in platelet and stem cell therapy. This provides your pet the most current therapies for many common diseases. You and your pet can benefit from these new therapies and help the scientific community gain information on these therapies.
 

Supporting Healing, Comfort, and Mobility 

Regenerative medicine is an evolving field of veterinary care that uses biological materials, including a pet’s own cells and blood components, to support the body's natural healing processes. These therapies may help repair damaged tissues, manage inflammation, and improve comfort and mobility in pets experiencing acute injuries or chronic conditions. 

At Zia Pet Hospital, regenerative medicine may offer additional treatment options for certain orthopedic injuries, joint conditions, and wounds. Depending on your pet’s individual needs, treatment options may include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapies. 

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy 

PRP therapy uses a concentrated portion of your pet’s own blood that contains platelets rich in naturally occurring growth factors. These growth factors help coordinate the body's healing response by supporting tissue repair, cellular activity, and the development of new blood vessels. 

By concentrating these beneficial components, PRP therapy aims to support healing in injured or damaged tissues. It may be recommended for certain tendon and ligament injuries, joint conditions, and other soft tissue injuries. 

Stem Cell Therapy 

Stem cell therapy uses specialized cells that can support tissue repair and influence the body's healing response. Depending on the treatment, these cells may be obtained from sources such as bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue. 

Stem cells can help support healing by encouraging cellular activity, promoting blood vessel development, influencing inflammation, and releasing signals that help coordinate tissue repair. Under appropriate conditions, certain stem cells can also develop into specialized cell types. 

Stem cell therapies may be considered for selected orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis and certain tendon, ligament, and bone injuries. Treatment suitability depends on your pet's condition, overall health, and individual needs. 

Arthramid 

Arthramid is an injectable 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel (iPAAG) used in veterinary medicine to help manage joint conditions, including osteoarthritis. 

Unlike regenerative therapies such as PRP and stem cell treatments, Arthramid is a non-biological injectable material designed to support joint function. It is administered directly into the affected joint by a veterinarian. 

Depending on the patient, Arthramid may offer a longer-lasting approach to managing joint discomfort and supporting mobility. It may also help reduce the need for repeated joint injections or ongoing pain medication in some dogs, although individual results vary. 

What Conditions Can Regenerative Medicine Help Treat? 

Regenerative therapies may be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for a variety of conditions, including: 

  • Osteoarthritis: Supporting joint health, comfort, and mobility. 

  • Ligament and tendon injuries: Supporting the healing of damaged connective tissues. 

  • Bone injuries: Potentially assisting with bone healing and certain bone graft procedures. 

  • Wounds and burns: Supporting tissue repair and the healing process. 

  • Certain spinal conditions: Providing a potential additional treatment option in carefully selected cases. 

Regenerative medicine is not appropriate for every condition or every patient. Results can vary, and these therapies may be used alongside other treatments rather than as a replacement for conventional veterinary care. 

Personalized Care for Your Pet 

Every pet is different, and no single treatment works for every condition. Regenerative medicine and injectable joint therapies continue to evolve as veterinary research advances. While these approaches offer promising possibilities, their effectiveness varies by treatment, condition, and individual patient. 

At Zia Pet Hospital, our goal is to help your pet maintain the best possible comfort, mobility, and quality of life. Our veterinary team can evaluate your pet's needs, discuss available treatment options, and help you make an informed decision about their care. 

Concerned about your pet's mobility or recovery from an injury? Contact Zia Pet Hospital to schedule an evaluation and discuss whether regenerative medicine or other treatment options may be appropriate for your pet.