Stem cell therapy is designed to regenerate injured tissues using stem cells derived from the horse’s own body. There are multiple protocols for harvesting stem cell, from obtaining them from the bone marrow to collecting them from the adipose (fat) tissue. These cells have the ability to mature into bone, tendon, or ligament cells (depending on where they are injected), which can aid in the healing of injured areas that typically do not regenerate well.
Our practice employs the Vet-Stem system of stem cell collection and injection. Please visit the Vet-Stem website for more information and to look at some of the excellent research that has come about from this exciting new therapy.
This procedure is a two step process that can be performed in a standing, sedated horse at the barn or stable, which minimizes having to transport to a hospital. That also means fewer complications than general anesthesia. The first step is a small incision on the rump, next to the tail head, where the fat tissue is harvested. The area is then sutured closed. 
The fat tissue is then sent to Vet-Stem, where the stem cells are harvested, counted, and in some cases specially stored for future use, if enough cells were collected. The cells are then returned for immediate injection into the affected site. This is done with the horse, again sedated, at the barn, and is usually aided with x-ray or ultrasound to guide the needle to the direct location where the cells are needed. A lay-up program will be discussed with you, depending on the type and location of injury.
Common applications are strains or tears of suspensory ligaments, bowed tendons and other soft tissue injuries, chronic osteoarthritis, or fracture repair.
