We are proud to launch our Regenerative Medicine Service at Eden Veterinary Referrals

Regenerative medicine involves using the body’s own repair mechanisms to treat diseases and injuries. It includes Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) therapy and tissue engineering. These treatments aim to regenerate damaged tissues, reduce inflammation and promote healing.

The use of regenerative medicine is becoming increasingly popular in both human and veterinary medicine for multiple disease processes. Mounting evidence and proper clinical trials have aided in the acceptance of regenerative medicine therapies.

These therapies offer a less invasive alternative to surgery (in certain conditions) and may reduce recovery times post-surgery. They also focus on healing rather than merely managing the symptoms, offering a longer-term solution. 

Regenerative medicine is currently being offered for the following conditions:

  • Osteoarthritis, in particular the stifle, elbow, shoulder, carpus, tarsus and hip joint.
  • Multiple musculotendinous injuries such as supraspinatus tendinopathy, medial shoulder syndrome, Achilles tendinopathy and Iliopsoas strains.
  • Cartilage joint diseases such as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and elbow dysplasia
  • Chronic wounds: Regenerative therapies can enhance healing in dogs with difficult to heal wounds by stimulating new tissue growth


Eden Vets Referral PRP Regenerative Medicine
Eden Vets Referral Regenerative-Medicine-Georgie
Eden Vets Referral- Ultra Sound Regenerative Medicine

FAQ’s about Regenerative Medicine

Below are some frequently asked questions about regenerative Medicine. Simply click on the question for more information.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are “adult” or tissue-resident stem cells. These cells are multipotent, meaning they can turn into several different specialised cell types, such as cartilage cells, bone cells and fat cells.

MSCs were first found in bone marrow, but have since been detected in many different tissues, including adipose tissue (fat) and umbilical cord blood. MSCs are naturally present in the body where they help to keep tissues functioning normally and assist with tissue regeneration following injury.

Injecting stem cells into joints can reduce pain and increase limb function in dogs with osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease. Injecting stem cells into injured tendons and ligaments can also aid the healing process by creating a scaffold for new cell growth. Whilst we still don’t completely understand the underlying mechanisms, current research suggests that the beneficial effects of stem cell therapy are more likely to be to be via their ability to encourage improved tissue repair by the body’s own cells, rather than turning into new tendon or cartilage cells themselves.

We offer both Autologous (adipose-derived) and Xenogeneic (umbilical derived) mesenchymal stem cells at Eden Veterinary Referrals. The adipose-derived MSC are harvested from the dogs falciform fat (intra-abdominal) and are cultured through Cell Therapy Sciences.
CLICK LINK FOR MORE INFO>> Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Services | Cell Therapy Sciences.

We source the umbilical-derived MSC from TVM using their product DogStem.
CLICK LINK FOR MORE INFO>> Osteoarthritis treatment – Learn More (dogstem.co.uk) .

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is another biological therapy that has gained a lot of interest in recent years. PRP is prepared by harvesting blood from the patient then placing it into a centrifuge to obtain the platelet-rich fraction. This fraction can then be separated into ‘leucocyte rich’ or leucocyte poor’ and injected into the region of pathology.
The benefits of PRP include:

  1. Accelerating Healing: PRP promotes faster recovery by stimulating cell growth and tissue repair, especially in tendons, ligaments and joints.
  2. Reducing Inflammation: It helps to decrease inflammation in a multiple of tissues including the synovium, which is key in conditions like arthritis.
  3. Minimal Side Effects: Since PRP is derived from the animal’s own blood, there’s a very low risk of adverse reactions.

PRP is very quick and simple to prepare, which means it can be used almost instantly as a “dog-side” treatment which may be advantageous for the rapid treatment of severe injuries. There is growing evidence supporting the use of PRP in veterinary medicine, particularly for dogs. While more research is ongoing, several studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of PRP for conditions such as osteoarthritis and soft tissue injuries.

We offer BOTH regenerative medicine therapies at Eden Veterinary Referrals and have become a hub for these treatments alongside our diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound for accurate diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of a wide range of conditions.

We often use both products alongside each other via intra-articular and intra-lesional injections. A member of our surgical referral team will guide you through these products and if they will be of benefit to your pet.

  • Synergistic Effect: PRP can act as a ‘booster’ for stem cells by providing a high concentration of growth factors that enhance the activity of stem cells. This synergy helps stem cells proliferate and differentiate more effectively, improving tissue regeneration.
  • Faster Healing: Together, PRP and stem cells may accelerate the healing process more than either therapy alone, making it especially useful for more severe injuries or ones that require a more rapid recovery.
  • Reduced Inflammation: Both therapies reduce inflammation, making them effective for managing chronic conditions like OA and tendon injuries.
  • Improved Pain Relief: By working together to repair damaged tissues, the combination may provide improved longer-term analgesia.

If you choose to be evaluated and treated at EVR, we have a team of certified and Advanced Practitioner surgeons who will manage your dog’s advanced stem cell treatment and discuss all aspects of their condition.

Your vet or physiotherapist can refer your dog for assessment to our Lameness Clinic. You will be guided through our referral process and placed with a referral surgeon which bests matches your dogs’ condition.

We are seeing an increasing number of canine sport medicine and working dogs being referred to us. Our increasing knowledge and experience alongside a fully equipped diagnostic imaging facilities (Digital radiography, MSK Ultrasound, Arthroscopy and CT/MRI Scanning) allows our surgeons to provide a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan.

How much does it cost?

We pride ourselves on providing affordable and accessible care for our patients. Please see the table for a guide to our costs. Please note a more accurate estimate will be given at the time of examination and once a diagnosis is achieved.

Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) (inclusive of anaesthesia and injection)£1000
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (DogStem) (inclusive of anaesthesia and injection)£1200
Combined PRP and Dogstem (inclusive of anaesthesia and injection)£1660
Adipose-derived Stem Cells 12-month storage (inclusive of anaesthesia, harvest, and injection)£2300
Adipose-derived Stem Cells 3-year storage (inclusive of anaesthesia, harvest, and injection)£2500