Regenerative Medicine is an area than has been developing rapidly in Human and Veterinary Medicine. One might wonder what makes it so different than the regular medical therapies that are normally performed.
The answer is pretty straightforward: regenerative medicine does not kill bacteria, like antibiotics, nor does it directly attack a symptom, like painkillers; it focuses on fully restoring the integrity of a damaged tissue with new, functional and identical tissue.
Sounds a little bit like magic, but it’s actually a very organic process, where the raw materials come from the body itself. One of the most useful procedures in regenerative medicine is PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), which basically consists on concentrating platelets from the injured individual’s blood, and applying them directly onto the damaged area for its restoration.
Platelets (also known as thrombocytes) are one of the many components of the blood, with the singularity of not having a nucleus like all the other cells in the body, but containing a variety of granules inside them that have many different functions.
In the normal environment of the body, platelets respond to signals sent from other cells in order to activate themselves, release the content of their granules (which are called platelet growth factors) and perform as messengers for other cell activities, as well as participate in clotting, stimulation of the cells that constitute the blood vessels and bone marrow, induction of scarring processes, among other useful functions.
The knowledge of the physiological functionalities of the platelets and their growth factors has led to numerous investigations and research projects since 1970, on an attempt to find a way of using it in medicine’s favor, and so it has been happening for several years now, with surprising results and new discoveries, opening doors to further investigations.
Today, the different regenerative and healing functions of the platelets are manipulated in a way that a simple blood extraction allows a preparation of concentrated platelet plasma that can be applied to the same individual through transfusion, injections, or even topically, to treat an endless list of chronic and dangerous diseases in any animal species, that go from clotting diseases, arthritis, pain management, fractures, bad scarring processes, corneal ulcers, complications from diabetic disorders, etc.
This has opened a lot of doors to various medical specialties, such as dermatology, ophthalmology, orthopedics and many others, offering an entirely new spectrum of therapy possibilities that have been proved to be life changing in matters of quality of life and welfare, two concepts that are a common pursuit among all living things.
PRP therapy in Veterinary Medicine first started in equine medicine, having an active participation on treatments for tendons and ligaments injuries and proving to help restore mobility and exercise capabilities in a much faster way than with the conventional therapies.
Based on this, Veterinarians all over the world have been starting to use this procedure in Small Animal Medicine, as well as in genetically relevant cattle and other species, continuing to help heal, and also leaving interesting questions and hypothesis regarding to where else in the body can PRP be helpful.
Since platelets are a very noble organic structure, the most likely answer is everywhere. There is no doubt that PRP is the future of most medical areas, regardless of the target species, since it offers what no other medication can: a self-repairing creation of healthy tissue to offer the best quality of life any individual deserves.
Please, navigate through our website to know more details about these procedures, so you can see how it’s easy, affordable, and one of the best options to help animals recover from diseases that years ago were labeled as unresolvable, and now are just a little obstacle to jump over and continue with a long, healthy life.
