A treatment approach that has been in practice in human medicine for decades is now offered for animals. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment for pets, in the simplest terms, is described this way: Your pet’s blood is broken down into smaller portions to extract healthy proteins that can be put back into your pet to help him or her regenerate healthy cells.
Plasma is the liquid within which the other components of blood, such as red blood cells and platelets, are suspended. It comprises mostly water. Platelets are small fragments of cells that play a role in the blood clotting process and also promote healing.
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is derived from the patient’s own blood, which is processed in a special machine with tubes so that the plasma has a higher-than-usual concentration of platelets. The plasma contains growth factors and proteins that may accelerate the healing of tendons and ligaments and may promote regeneration of cartilage or bone.
After injury, platelets and other blood components normally rush to the scene and start secreting growth factors that essentially tell the body to produce collagen, fibroblasts, bone, or some other substance needed for the healing process in that particular area. By concentrating these factors in platelet rich plasma and injecting them directly into the site of injury, we give a boost to the body’s natural ability to heal.
PRP injections can decrease pain associated with arthritis by reducing inflammation in the joints. They may also help tendon or ligament injuries heal. Patients with chronic, slow, or non-healing wounds may also benefit from PRP.
The protocol is three treatments four weeks apart at R900 per treatment.