Stem cell therapy has been shown to be very successful, often when other traditional therapies have been tried, and failed to restore quality of life. An essential part of the treatment is the initial assessment, during which all aspects of the pet’s health is thoroughly assessed before under-going an extremely detailed examination of neurological, orthopaedic, pain and function loss. Following this examination, treatment of all affected issues (there are often more than one cause for a lameness or loss of function) will drastically improve the success of the procedure. Diagnostic imaging such as x-rays, MRI scan, or ultrasound scans are carried out if these have not already been performed.

Stem cell therapy harvest and reintroduction is undertaken in two parts: During the stem cell harvest, a small amount of fat and blood is taken from the patient. This is then sent to a specialist laboratory where the cells are cultured and multiplied. Once the required number of cells have been cultured and grown, they are returned to the vet to transplant into affected joints or tissues where they regenerate into healthy tissue. This could take anything form 2-6 weeks depending on the quantity needed and how fast they grow. Stem cell therapy provides an alternative treatment that really can improve the quality of life of pet’s life where more traditional therapies have failed. In many cases with degenerative joint disease, the need for long term painkilling medications is reduced; and the sports dogs return to competition, following a rehabilitation and strengthening plan.