Stem Cell Therapy
Fowlerville Veterinary Clinic is excited to bring you the newest in regenerative medicine with Stem Cell Therapy. This innovative treatment uses your pet’s own natural healing cells to reduce pain and inflammation while promoting tissue repair, offering hope for pets suffering from chronic conditions.
How Stem Cell Therapy Helps Your Pet
Stem Cell Therapy can benefit dogs and cats with various conditions including:
- Arthritis and degenerative joint disease
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Cruciate ligament injuries
- Post-surgical healing support
- Chronic allergies
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Other inflammatory conditions
Is Your Pet a Candidate?
- Pets may benefit from stem cell therapy if they show:
- Difficulty rising or reluctance to jump/climb stairs
- Limping or reduced activity levels
- Stiffness, especially after rest
- Chronic inflammatory symptoms
What to Expect: Our Two-Stage Process
Required Before Treatment
To ensure your pet’s safety, several preparations are necessary:
- Laboratory Tests (within 60 days): Complete blood count, chemistry panel, clotting tests
- Health Screenings: Negative heartworm test (within 12 months), current rabies vaccination
- Cancer Screening: Chest and abdominal X-rays reviewed by a veterinary radiologist
- Medical Records: Must be received one week before consultation
Stage 1: Collection Surgery
In the morning, your pet will undergo a minor surgical procedure to collect abdominal fat containing stem cells. This fat is then sent to our partner, Ardent Animal Health, for professional processing to activate the stem cells. Your pet goes home the same day with pain medications and activity restrictions for 10-14 days.
Preparation: Stop NSAIDs (Rimadyl, Galliprant, Meloxicam) 48 hours before surgery.
Stage 2: Treatment Administration
The following week, we will sedate your pet and administer the processed stem cell treatment directly into affected areas. Your pet will go home the same day as treatment. Pain medication is provided via injection while in the hospital. Additional medications that may be sent home after the procedure include oral pain medications and antibiotics.
Banking Options available: Extra stem cells can be stored for future treatments if needed.
Recovery and Results
Timeline Expectations
- Weeks 1-2: Symptoms may temporarily worsen (normal healing response)
- Weeks 2-8: Steady improvement typically begins
- Month 2+: Benefits plateau at maximum level
Expected Relief: Most pets experience 18-24 months of significant improvement, while severely affected pets may have 6+ months of relief.
Essential Rehabilitation
Proper rehabilitation is crucial for optimal results:
- Week 1: Passive range of motion exercises, short 5-minute leash walks, NO running/jumping/playing
- Weeks 2-3: Add assisted exercises, heat therapy, increase walks to 5-10 minutes
- Week 4+: Build to 20-30 minute walks, may add aquatic therapy
Important Restrictions: Avoid laser therapy for 30 days and shock wave/power plate therapy for 4-6 weeks after treatment.
Additional Regenerative Medicine Options
Along with Stem Cell Therapy, we also perform procedures with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). PRP is a helpful tool for decreasing inflammation and only requires a blood draw for processing. For more information on PRP, CLICK HERE.
Partnership You Can Trust
We work with Ardent Animal Health for professional processing and cryostorage of stem cells. This partnership ensures your pet receives the highest quality regenerative medicine available. Please check out their website at www.ardentanimalhealth.com for additional information.
Ready to Learn More?
If you would like to have your pet evaluated for potential Stem Cell Therapy, please contact us to set up a consultation. Our experienced team will discuss your pet’s candidacy, treatment timeline, and provide a complete cost breakdown tailored to your pet’s specific needs.
Individual results vary based on condition severity, and treatment recommendations will be customized specifically for your companion’s situation.
