Platelet Rich Plasma PRP Therapy for Dogs and Bulldogs

PRP is now offered by Dr. R. Kraemer, a veterinarian residing in Orange County, California, and a leading provider of alternative therapeutic medicine.

PRP Therapy for Dogs and Bulldogs OTHER MODALITIES

Among the new age modalities offered at his practice is the

• Class 4 Cold Laser  model (“the cube”)
• Pulse Electromagnetic Therapy (PEMT)
• Stem Cell Therapy
•  Cryobanking.

Due to increased demand, Dr. Kraemer is expanding the offer of this groundbreaking technology to pet owners from anywhere in the State of California, as well as those out of state who are unable to find a local veterinarian who is able to provide those services.

Platelet Rich Plasma PRP Therapy for Bulldogs RESCUE

Dr. Kramer has strong ties to the bulldog community and the Southern California Bulldog Rescue (SCBR). A few of the SCBR-rescued bulldogs have been treated with stem cells and PRP, I sat down with a few of the group members to answer questions specifically related to PRP.

Vicki (SCBR): Can you explain what platelet-rich plasma is?

Dr. Kraemer Answers: “Platelet Rich Plasma” is an autogenous fluid concentrate (i.e. arising from within or from the subject itself) that is composed primarily of platelets, generated from a dog’s own blood cells.

This serum is rich in healing growth factors that can help with inflammation and stimulate healing cascades. PRP or platelet-rich plasma, has hit the mainstream media and is now used commonly by many human orthopods.

Gayle (SCBR): So how does platelet-rich plasma work?

Dr. Kraemer Answers: Platelets are among the first cells to migrate to sites of tissue trauma, and in addition to their role in hemostasis (i.e., blood clotting), they contain numerous growth factors that stimulate tissue healing. Growth factors are critical modulators of tissue healing. Platelet-rich plasma has been demonstrated to accelerate the healing of numerous tissues throughout the body, including ligaments, tendons, and bones, and to aid in the management of osteoarthritis.

Nicole (SCBR): How is Platelet Rich Plasma created at your hospital?

Dr. Kraemer Answers: Platelet-rich plasma can be generated by centrifugation of your pet’s blood.  All we need is a small amount of blood from your pet. The solution is typically ready for injection within 2 hours.

Vicki (SCBR): What are the most common medical applications for PRP?

Dr. Kraemer answers: We mainly use it for orthopedic injuries such as ACL tears, Elbow Dysplasia, and Medial Patella Luxations. PRP can be injected into an injured joint or tendon or used in its gel form to treat large burns or wounds.  PRP is not limited to acute injuries; it can also be used for chronic conditions. PRP is most commonly effective in treating short-term inflammatory problems where there are no signs of neurological deficits.

1. Tendon Healing (Tenosynovitis): stronger healing when the tendon repair sites were treated with PRP.

2. Collagen Production: Growth factors found in PRP increase type I collagen production and cell proliferation.

3. “Tennis Elbow”: a 93% reduction in pain after a single injection in humans

4. Achilles tendon ruptures and shoulder injuries

5. Ligament ruptures and hyperextension injuries

6. Osteoarthritis: as in pet hip and elbow dysplasia.

7. Non-healing topical wounds

8. Utilized adjunct to surgery: as in ACL tare (TPLO), MPL Repair, etc.

9. General Inflammation

Nicole (SCBR): How about the use of PRP for osteoarthritis?

 Dr. Kraemer answers: PRP might aid in the production of hyaline in osteoarthritis in both humans and animals. PRP has been shown to decrease pain and improve function in humans with degenerative cartilage disease. A recent unpublished study from the Veterinary School at the University of Missouri has demonstrated decreased lameness sores in dogs with elbow arthritis following PRP injections.

Nicole (SCBR): What about bone? Would PRP aid in fracture repair?

Dr. Kramer Answers: Protein-rich plasma may aid in fracture repair and healing by providing additional growth factors that are critical to bone formation. PRP has been used for bone formation most extensively in human dental and maxillofacial applications. PRP is being used in delayed and non-union fracture cases in an effort to accelerate healing.

Gayle (SCBR):  How is PRP different from stem cell therapy?

Dr. Kramer answers: While PRP may help recruit a few stem cells to the area, stem cell injection therapy is much more advanced. Stem cell therapy would be more appropriate for degenerative diseases where there is lost tissue (like chronic arthritis, a partial tendon or ligament tear, or a low back disc where there are torn fibers allowing the disc to bulge). Stem Cells are capable of not only differentiating into the new tissue that is lost but also coordinating the repair response

Keep in Mind that all our stem cell therapy treatments utilize PRP. Every Stem Cell Injection your pet receives from us (including cryobank unites stored for future use)are mixed with Platelets rich plasma at  No  Additional Cost.

Gayle (SCBR): How much does PRP cost compared to stem cell therapy?

Dr. Kraemer Answers: As mentioned above, our Stem cell therapy cases are always mixed with PRP. But PRP alone is much cheaper and less time-consuming, and there are no anesthesia or surgical concerns.

Often, we treat with PRP alone a few months after stem cell therapy. As you may recall, the stem cell pick effect is two months after treatment, but they are still at the site even months later. By injecting PRP we are “re-energizing”, and “re-charging” those stem cells once again.

Gayle (SCBR):  So why would a pet owner be inclined to choose PRP as a therapeutic option for his pet?

 Dr. Kraemer answers:

• PRP is an inexpensive, risk-free alternative to NSAIDs.
• PRP speeds healing time.
• Pet owners expect to see improvement in their beloved pets in this day and age right away
• Pet owners expect the post-surgery period to be pain-free. PRP when built into a surgical repair, is cost-effective and can help, in the short term, negate the inflammatory and pain effects.
• PRP offers an opportunity for pet owners To Ease Into Regenerative Medicine at minimal cost and minimal risk to their beloved dog or cat

Vicki (SCBR): Many of our bulldogs are treated by you with a Class 4 cold laser. Is there a conflict between those therapeutic modalities?

Dr. Kraemer answers: I am glad you raised that question since I am an avid supporter of all those up-and-coming modalities. First, there is no conflict between them. In fact, the opposite is true: the therapies are complementary and synergistic. The benefits of combining laser therapy with regenerative therapy are obvious. Stem cell therapy and PRP therapy would do better with cold laser therapy due to the improved local circulation and cell metabolism; the cold laser will help speed up the delivery to the injured target site. Laser is the enabler; it will help to provide more fuel and oxygen to “ignite the engine”, so to speak. So whichever way the body is inclined to heal itself, a laser will provide the boost. It’s a “win-win.”

Thank you for all the great questions; it is a true privilege to be part of the SCBR organization. In summary, I would like to say that we can all eat healthy, exercise regularly, and learn to relax in order to improve our life quality and increase longevity. The same goes for our pets. But as most of us are painfully aware, injuries and illness could happen despite our efforts to live healthily. Many times surgery will be recommended, and there are certainly many times when surgery is appropriate and needs to be performed. We should all be very grateful that we have access to this tool. Nevertheless, I am a big advocate and strong believer in awareness of other, less invasive, safer, often less costly, and effective alternative options. The latest therapeutic modalities, like stem cell therapy, protein-rich plasma, and class 4 cold laser therapy, are here to stay, and this is only the beginning. I predict that in the coming decade, those new-age modalities will be mainstream and an integral part of every hospital’s medical services.

With the rise of Laser Therapy and regenerative medicine (Stem Cell Therapy), it suffices to say that the public is bearing witness to the emergence of a completely new age in healing and certainly a total paradigm shift in veterinary healthcare