If you’re a dog owner, chances are you’ve heard the term “hip dysplasia.” According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, “Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a condition that begins in dogs as they grow and results in instability or a loose fit (laxity) of the hip joint.” Essentially, the ball of the hip joint doesn’t fit properly into the socket, causing abnormal movement, which results in cartilage degeneration, scar tissue formation, and bone spurs around the joint. As you can imagine, this is a painful condition that ultimately leads to osteoarthritis.

In many cases, surgery is the recommended treatment for hip dysplasia, but this option comes with its own challenges. Surgery can be invasive, expensive, and unfortunately, many dogs still develop scar tissue and arthritis over time. Another potential treatment option is stem cell therapy. While stem cell therapy won’t cure hip dysplasia, stem cells can help to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Stem cells also have the unique ability to differentiate into numerous tissue types, potentially aiding in the regeneration of damaged cartilage. These combined effects can lead to increased mobility and an improved quality of life for dogs with hip dysplasia and arthritis.

Given the prevalence of hip dysplasia and arthritis in dogs, numerous veterinarians have successfully treated thousands of dogs with these conditions using VetStem Cell Therapy. And many have seen great results! One example is Artemis, a Bernese Mountain Dog, with bilateral hip dysplasia. Fortunately for Artemis, her owner sought treatment early and her veterinarian recommended VetStem Cell Therapy.

After receiving stem cell therapy, Artemis’ owner shared, “I can see improvement as she stands from lying down, as well as after extended play or walks. My hope is with continued stem cell treatments she will stay comfortable longer.” You can read Artemis’ VetStem success story here.

VetStem’s ability to cryopreserve and store stem cells from each patient is particularly valuable for patients like Artemis who will never have perfect hips. With additional cells in her cryobank, Artemis can receive a lifetime of future treatments using her own stem cells without the need for additional fat collection procedures.

If your dog is struggling with hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis, stem cell therapy may offer a promising path toward relief. In fact, surveys from both dog owners and veterinarians show that over 80% of dogs experienced an improved quality of life following treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy for osteoarthritis. Additionally, a peer-reviewed study of dogs with chronic osteoarthritis of the hip found that treatment with stem cells reduced pain and lameness.

Contact us today to find a VetStem provider near you.