If your dog suffers pain from an injury like a torn ACL, or a chronic condition like arthritis or hip dysplasia, stem cell therapy can help.

You may have heard of stem cell therapy as a form of pain management, however, very few pet owners understand how the treatment works and what it entails. Today, the veterinarians at Animal Care Center will explain more about stem cell therapy and the benefits it offers for dogs in pain.

What Is Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs?

Stem cell therapy involves taking stem cells from a healthy part of the body and placing them into diseased or damaged tissue in other parts of the body. This form of regenerative veterinary medicine allows the body to autonomically repair and regenerate damaged tissues. Stem cell therapy is commonly used to treat conditions like osteoarthritis, torn ligaments, hip dysplasia, and more.

At Animal Care Center, we use an anesthetic procedure to collect several vials of adipose tissue (fat) from within the abdominal cavity. These vials are then sent for processing and the resulting stem cells are injected into the affected joints. The stem cells are able to repair and regenerate blood vessels, bones, cartilage, cardiac tissue, fat, liver, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and even tendons.

Stem cell therapy has long-term systemic benefits. It can help heal injuries and reduce chronic pain. And, because it can reduce dependence on medications, it is a good alternative for dogs with allergies.

What Is the Stem Cell Therapy Procedure?

First, your dog will need to undergo a consultation in order to diagnose their condition that needs to be treated with stem cell therapy. Your dog will also need to be confirmed as a suitable candidate for stem cell therapy. Then, stem cell collection will be performed while your dog is under anesthesia.

After the concentrated stem cells come back from the lab, they can be injected into the affected area. The most common injection sites for stem cells are the joints in the hips, elbows, and knees. Most of the time, the injections will occur while your dog is sedated, to reduce the risk of injury.

Is Stem Cell Therapy Safe?

Stem cell therapy is a completely safe regenerative therapy for dogs. Because the stem cells come from your dog's own body rather than an external source, the chances of rejection are very low. Injection into the joint or tendon carries a small risk of injury, infection, or inflammation, but these risks do not negate the overall safety of stem cell therapy.

Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs in Castle Pines, CO

Animal Care Center has VetStem-certified veterinarians who have completed extensive training in stem cell therapy. The anesthesia procedure is quick and painless, and we treat it with the same care and precaution as a longer procedure. If you're interested in providing your pet with lasting relief from their chronic pain give us a call today to schedule a stem cell therapy consultation.