Current Evidence for Regenerative Medicine in Canine and Feline Osteoarthritis

About the Course

This lecture presents when, why, and how regenerative medicine can be used to treat osteoarthritis in dogs and cats. The material draws on the evolving understanding of osteoarthritis as a disease of immune dysfunction and tissue degeneration, and how early regenerative intervention can shift the entire trajectory of the disease. The session concludes with step-by-step, practical treatment protocols that combine pain optimization (to reveal true therapeutic response) with product preparation, injection technique, recovery-to-rehab progression, and long-term care planning.

This program has been RACE approved (20-1347498) for 1 hour of continuing education credit for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval.

Learning objectives

• Differentiate classic “degenerative” osteoarthritis from the current immunologic and neurobiologic model—and understand how this reframes treatment timing. 

• Identify early candidates for regenerative care using osteoarthritis staging to guide intervention. 

• Compare regenerative options (autologous and allogeneic MSCs, PRP, ACS/IRAP) and adjuncts based on mechanism, indication, and selection criteria. 

• Build a treatment decision tree using outcome tools, pain pathway assessment, analgesic planning, and staged rehab integration. 

• Communicate evolving osteoarthritis models, expected outcomes, and care options clearly to pet owners—emphasizing the growing toolkit for joint preservation.