Anyone use Stem Cell or PRP therapy with their pets (dog, horse, cat)?

[Blume_Farm]

I own a small animal hospital and we are considering starting to offer Stem Cell and PRP therapy. There is considerable capital investment and wanted to see if folks use these therapies, and if so did they work for your pet? What would be your cost comfort? It is about $1500 for Stem Cell therapy and can be used to help arthritis (hip, stifles, elbows), atopy, and potentially even auto immune diseases.

Of course the rep essentially shows it to be a miracle…which I am quite sure it is not, but might have enough positive response that it is a viable therapy to offer clients.

Thank you!

[ilmjumper]

It was done before I actually got the horse (and I’m not 100% sure it’s the same thing you’re asking about, but I figured I’d share anyway) but I had a OTTB that had bowed both front tendons racing. He had split tendon stem cell surgry and was rehabbed correctly. Honest to god the most sound feeling horse I’ve ever had. He fox hunted then went on to 3’6" hunters with me, did some jumpers and we played with eventing. Never had a off moment. I’m a believer lol

[SillyHorse]

My horse had PRP for what was eventually diagnosed as chronic suspensory desmitis. It didn’t help much, but I think we wouldn’t have done it had we understood at the time what the problem was. Insurance covered it, if that makes a difference.

[candico]

I have heard through the grapevine that many dogs who had received stem cell later were diagnosed with rapidly progressing aggressive cancers. Could be coincidence, but might give it a few more years before making that investment. Don’t think it would be as concerning with horses as they get cancer so rarely.

[River]

My little mustang had prp therapy done on his front knee. He was kicked right in the knee by a pasture mate. He was 4. Tore the tendon and screwed up a whole bunch of stuff. The vet suggested this and said they would do it for free because they hadn’t done it on anyone yet and needed a case they could actually use. (vet school/research hospital). They were thrilled with the results and couldn’t believe how well he has healed. He was rehabbed for almost 6 months, and is currently completely sound. You wouldn’t ever know he was injured except he flips that front leg a little higher and looks like a hackney pony when he does it.

[HappyTalk]

The small animal clinic where I work offers stem cell. Not one client has wanted it, probably due to cost. We are located in a fairly upscale area and our clients often go to specialty clinics.

I have used ACell in two of my horses with very good results.

[atlatl]

I did both with a horse that had a pretty severe tendon tear. The PRP worked so well, I actually considered not doing the stem cell, but ended up doing both.

I’m a believer!

[arapaloosa_lady]

I wouldn’t pay $1500 up front hoping that stem cell therapy would work for my dog. I’d be more likely to go the massage therapy, underwater treadmill, doggie PT, etc. route where you pay per session & only continue if it’s actually working.

[Blume_Farm]

Interesting. A few questions:

1. Why do you think folks are so much more willing to try PRP and stem cells with their horses versus dog? With a horse folks with do PRP/ stem cells AND PT, massage, etc but as a poster stated above with their dog they would try PT, massage ALONE before trying stem cells.

2. Happy Talk…how do you guys price it? It is was $1300/ treatment would folks here be more willing to try it with their dog?

[candico]

With horses we are looking for them to be sound enough to ride and compete. With dogs, it’s kind of okay if they are just a bit “off”, perhaps just needing some NSAIDS. It does seem people who compete in agility are more willing to pay more to get back to 100%, but still lean toward using physical therapy first. With horses, we often don’t have a good physical therapy facility nearby, and if so it is as expensive to board/use the facility as using stem cell/PRP. Also, insurance covers it and more people have that type of coverage for horses vs dogs. I would invest in a high quality cold laser - that seems to be a decent money maker for small animal clinics.

[Jarpur]

Friend had it done on her elderly medium-sized terrier mix, after considering it for a long time due to the cost (I believe it was in the $1700 range at that time). Dog went from pretty gimped up to “Hallelujah, I can walk!” Effects lasted about three years and I think she thought she got her money’s worth.

[HappyTalk]

I think my clinic prices it at around $1500. I have worked there for about 4 years and to be truthful, the docs don’t even mention it to clients anymore. No takers even though a lot of our clientele could afford it. I think what Candico said about people using NSAIDS holds true. We do have a therapy laser and that machine is used several times a day. One of my own dogs (17 going on 18) gets laser 2x a week for arthritis and it works well for her.