Running Again: Pearl's Platelet Therapy (PRP)

by Dr. Jeff Schaffer, DVM

Pearl was found as a stray on the streets and was this bloody little malnourished baby girl. Veterinarians were not able to determine exactly what caused her leg disfigurement, but because of the scar tissue and the scaring around her torso, they decided it was highly unlikely she was born that way.

Since Pearl was a puppy she had always gotten along just fine with three and a 3/4 legs. 

Pearl’s owner, Julia, had a prosthetic leg made for her at a young age to help her keep up with the other dogs. Pearl loved to run, swim, fetch balls, jump and play with other dogs.

At approximately 3 years of age she began to develop a wound on her stump. 

They tried antibiotics, several different wound dressings, nutritional supplements and laser therapy. The wound stopped Pearl from being able to wear her prosthetic and quickly became a chronic wound that was constantly bleeding. The only solution Pearl’s veterinarian had for how to deal with the wound was to amputate the entire leg.

A few months into the wound problem Pearl had another setback, she began limping more than usual.


Another trip back to the veterinarian and x-rays and a physical exam revealed that Pearl had partially torn her cruciate ligament on her right hind knee. Pearl was bearing almost all her weight on her 2 left legs, because her right hind leg had a partial tear in the ACL and her right front leg didn’t touch the ground.

Needless to say she wasn’t able to do much more than get up to eat and use the restroom. 

Otherwise she was confined to the dog bed. Laser therapy was started on the injured knee two to three times a week as well as more supplements.

Pearl was examined by Dr Holly Mullen at VCA Emergency Animal Hospital
& Referral Center. ACL surgery and leg amputation were discussed but Dr Mullen suggested some alternatives to surgery that they could try.

Dr Mullen suggested trying the VetStem Platelet Therapy system V-PET™.
“At the time of the procedure I wasn’t sure if I made the right decision but now I can say that without a doubt I made the right choice for Pearl” said Pearl’s owner.

“Within two weeks of the Platelet Therapy treatment you could see a tremendous increase with the weight she was putting on her right rear leg and by four weeks her stump had completely healed. I am so grateful that I took a chance on this alternative therapy because it worked! It saved me money but more importantly it saved Pearl’s limb. Now I know that most people reading this don’t have an animal that has a chronic wound that won’t heal, but I’ll bet a lot of you have animals with partial ACL tears or other similar issues. My word of advice is that you shouldn’t jump to doing a huge surgery. Look at your alternative options first.”

Now, about 10 weeks out from the Platelet Therapy treatment, Dr Mullen couldn’t be happier. 

“I rechecked Pearl and she is doing fabulously! Her stump is completely healed and she is able to wear her prosthesis again for short periods of time. She is completely sound in her right rear leg, no lameness at all.”
***

Dr. Jeffrey Schaffer, DVM obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Perugia. He has practiced veterinary medicine at Nassau-Suffolk Vet Hospital, several emergency veterinary hospitals and animal shelters. He also has worked as an adjunct professor in medical and biological subjects at numerous colleges and universities in New York. He is the author of a range of published studies and he has established relationships with opinion leaders in medical, veterinary research and clinical practice. He now works at VetStem Biopharma.

VetStem Biopharma has been providing regenerative therapies since 2004. Thousands of animals have been treated for arthritis and/or tendon and ligament injuries, many of which were not responding to other treatment methods. 

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