When our pets or horses get hurt, we want to help them feel better as fast as possible. In the past, doctors usually gave animals pills to hide the pain. Today, there is a new and exciting way to help called regenerative medicine.

Regenerative medicine is like giving your animal a "fix-it" button. Instead of just hiding the pain, it uses the animal’s own blood to help the body actually repair itself. Two of the most popular ways to do this are called PRP and Pro-Stride. While they both come from blood, they work in different ways. This guide will help you understand how they work and which one might be right for your furry friend.

What is Regenerative Medicine?

Think about when you get a small cut on your finger. You don't usually need a doctor to sew it up; your body just knows how to fix it. That is your body’s natural "repair crew" at work.

Regenerative medicine takes that repair crew and makes it much stronger. Veterinarians take a little bit of blood from the animal, put it in a special machine to find the best "healing parts," and then put those parts right where the animal is hurting. Because the medicine comes from the animal’s own body, it is very safe. There is almost no chance of the animal having a bad reaction to it.

PRP: The "Construction Crew"

PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma. To understand PRP, you have to know about platelets. Platelets are tiny cells in the blood. Most people know them because they help stop bleeding if you get a scrape. But platelets are also like tiny lunchboxes full of tools called "growth factors."

How PRP Works

When an animal has a torn muscle or a hurt leg, the vet takes some blood and spins it very fast in a machine called a centrifuge. This machine separates the platelets from the rest of the blood. The vet ends up with a thick liquid that has way more platelets than normal blood.

When this liquid is injected into a hurt area, the platelets "pop open" and release their growth factors. These growth factors act like a construction crew. They:

1.  Call for help: They send signals to other healing cells to come to the injury.
2.  Build new parts: They help the body make new blood vessels and skin.
3.  Fix the damage: They help repair tendons and ligaments (the "strings" that hold bones and muscles together).

When to use PRP

PRP is best for new injuries. If a horse tears a tendon while running or a dog hurts a biceps tendon or gets a bad cut that won't heal, PRP provides the "building blocks" needed to fix the problem.

Pro-Stride APS: The "Firefighter and Builder"

Pro-Stride APS is like a more advanced version of PRP. While PRP is a great builder, Pro-Stride is a firefighter AND a builder.

What makes it different?

Inside an animal’s joint (like a knee or an ankle), there can be a lot of "fire." Doctors call this fire inflammation. Inflammation is what makes a joint red, swollen, and very painful. In animals with arthritis (old, stiff joints), the body produces a "bad" protein that acts like a tiny hammer, constantly hitting and breaking down the joint.

Pro-Stride is specially made to stop those "hammers." It has a special protein called IRAP. You can think of IRAP as a shield. It blocks the bad proteins from hitting the joint.

How Pro-Stride Works

Just like PRP, the vet takes the animal's blood and spins it. But they use a special process that finds even more "good" proteins. When Pro-Stride is injected into a joint, it does two things:

1.  It puts out the fire: It stops the swelling and pain immediately by using the "shield" proteins.
2.  It cleans up: It neutralizes the bad stuff that is trying to eat away at the animal's cartilage (the smooth cushion in the joints).

When to use Pro-Stride

Pro-Stride is the best choice for arthritis and long-term joint pain. If your dog is having a hard time getting up the stairs because of old age, or if a horse has a swollen knee that stays "hot" and painful, Pro-Stride is usually the better choice.

How the Veterinarian Does It

1.  The Blood Draw: The vet takes a small amount of blood from the animal.
2.  The Spin: The blood goes into the centrifuge machine. It separates into layers.
3.  The Injection: The vet puts the healing liquid exactly where the animal is hurting.
4.  The Rest: The animal usually needs to take it easy for a few days.

Comparing the Two: Which one is better?

Is it safe?

Since the liquid is made from the animal’s own blood, it is incredibly safe. Most common side effects are mild swelling that goes away quickly.

The Success Stories

Research shows that 8 out of 10 dogs with joint pain felt better after these treatments. Many horses stay pain-free for a whole year after just one treatment!

Conclusion

Regenerative medicine like PRP and Pro-Stride gives us a way to help our animals heal using the power already inside their own bodies. Ask your veterinarian if your animal needs a "construction crew" (PRP) or a "firefighter shield" (Pro-Stride).

Advanced Care Veterinary Services

972-394-6422

www.stoppetpain.com

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We are seeking dogs with arthritis to participate in an FDA-approved clinical study.

Study benefits at no cost to you include:

Comprehensive physical examination

Blood work

Study medication

X-rays (if needed)

Important study details:

* This is not a safety trial. The product has already been deemed safe by the FDA.

* The purpose of the study is to determine the most effective dosage.

* Participation lasts up to 30 days.

*During the study period, participants must attend four in-clinic visits and complete two brief phone interviews.

Exclusion criteria include:

--Pregnant or breeding females

--Autoimmune disease

--Cancer

--Spinal or neurologic conditions

--Major surgery within the past 30 days

--Cruciate ligament surgery within the past 3 months

--Joint instability

--Use of pain medications within the last 7 days prior to enrollment

--Librela use within the last 60 days

If you are interested in enrolling your dog, please contact our office at 972-394-6422 and ask about the Wishbone Study.

Pro-Stride® APS: A Natural Solution for Canine Joint Pain

Arthritis and joint disease are among the most common causes of pain and reduced mobility in dogs. Watching a pet struggle with stiffness, lameness, or loss of activity is heartbreaking for owners — and challenging for veterinarians seeking long-term solutions.

Pro-Stride® APS (Autologous Protein Solution) offers an advanced, regenerative option that is both science-driven and dog-friendly: a one-day treatment that uses the dog’s own blood to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and support joint health.

What Is Pro-Stride® APS?

Pro-Stride® APS is a form of orthobiologic therapy — meaning it harnesses the body’s own cells and proteins to heal.

• A small sample of blood is drawn from the dog.

• In about 20–30 minutes, the blood is processed in-clinic to concentrate anti-inflammatory proteins, growth factors, platelets, and white blood cells.

• This concentrated solution is injected back into the affected joint the same day.

Because the treatment is autologous (made from the dog’s own blood), it’s natural, safe, and avoids the risks of foreign proteins or drug side effects.

How It Works (for the science-minded)

APS combines the benefits of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and IRAP therapies:

• Blocks inflammation: Key proteins like IL-1 receptor antagonist and TNF receptor antagonists reduce the damaging effects of IL-1β and TNF-α in the joint.

• Supports repair: Platelets release growth factors that encourage cartilage protection, angiogenesis, and tissue healing.

• Balanced response: White blood cells contribute additional anti-inflammatory and regulatory proteins.

The result is a joint environment that shifts away from breakdown and toward healing.

Benefits for Dogs

• Natural & drug-free – No steroids, no synthetic chemicals.

• One-visit procedure – Collection, processing, and injection done in a single appointment.

• Long-lasting relief – Many dogs improve for 6–12 months after just one injection.

• Better mobility & comfort – Dogs often walk, climb, and play more easily.

• Safe for seniors & athletes alike – Useful for both older arthritic dogs and active working or sporting dogs.

Clinical Indications

Veterinarians commonly recommend APS for:

• Osteoarthritis – especially mild to moderate cases.

• Post-surgical support – cruciate repairs, elbow dysplasia, and other orthopedic procedures.

• Working and sporting dogs – agility, hunting, and service dogs that need long-term joint health.

• Dogs that cannot tolerate NSAIDs or steroids – renal/GI risks, metabolic disease, or prior side effects.

What Owners Can Expect

• The procedure: Mild sedation will be used.

• Recovery: Light activity for a few days; gradual return to normal routines.

• Results: Many owners report noticeable improvement within weeks, with benefits lasting months to a year.

• Follow-up: APS works best as part of a multimodal plan — weight management, physical rehab, and controlled exercise maximize results.

The Bottom Line

For pet owners, Pro-Stride® APS offers hope: a natural, one-day treatment that can give dogs back their mobility and joy.
For veterinarians, APS is a proven orthobiologic tool — grounded in solid science, supported by clinical experience, and tailored to modern multimodal pain management.

Pro-Stride® APS brings together the best of both worlds: cutting-edge veterinary medicine and compassionate care for our canine companions.

If you are interested in seeing if Pro-Stride can help your pet, call Advanced Care Veterinary Services @ 972-394-6422.  Since September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, print out this article and bring it with you for $75 off the initial examination fee.  Good through September 30, 2025.

When Pets Hurt: Shining a Light on Animal Pain

Every September, the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) leads a powerful initiative: Animal Pain Awareness Month. This campaign runs alongside human medicine’s Pain Awareness Month with one vital message—animals feel pain, too, and it's time we get better at recognizing it.

More than 45 million household pets suffer from acute or chronic pain. But unlike humans, they can’t tell us where it hurts. Instead, they rely on subtle shifts in behavior—many of which go unnoticed until the pain becomes severe. From arthritic joints and back injuries to dental disease and internal conditions, undiagnosed pain can quietly impact a pet’s mobility, appetite, and quality of life.

Pain is often hidden; it’s a survival instinct. That’s why regular pain assessments—at least once a year—should be part of every veterinary exam.

Recognizing the Signs

The IVAPM outlines common behaviors that may indicate a pet is experiencing pain:

• Reduced activity or reluctance to exercise
• Difficulty with stairs or standing up after rest
• Decreased playfulness or avoidance of jumping
• Changes in appetite or interest in food
• Over-grooming or licking a specific area, or a lack of grooming (especially in cats)
• Accidents or difficulty using the litter box
• Faster breathing, especially at rest
• Altered routines, including sleep or hiding behavior

Even small changes in a pet’s habits can signal a deeper issue. What may seem like a pet “just getting older” could actually be untreated pain.

Proactive Pain Management

Fortunately, veterinary medicine has evolved to offer a wide spectrum of effective pain treatments. Alongside traditional medications, many practices now offer non-pharmacologic therapies such as:

• Acupuncture
• Laser therapy
• Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF)
• Ozone therapy
• Shockwave therapy
• Regenerative Medicine / Joint Injections
• Physical rehabilitation and exercise plans

Combined with proper nutrition and low-impact daily activity, these integrative therapies can significantly improve a pet’s comfort and longevity—often with fewer side effects than medications alone.

Take Action

If your pet seems “off,” don’t write it off as age or personality. Schedule a thorough veterinary exam that includes a pain assessment. Catching discomfort early leads to better outcomes, happier pets, and more peace of mind for pet parents.

The IVAPM continues to lead the charge in education and advocacy around animal pain. Their goal is simple: empower veterinary professionals and pet owners to prevent, recognize, and treat pain—before it steals your pet’s joy.  Please visit www.ivapm.org for more information.

Ozone Therapy: A Natural Solution for Pain & Healing

Ozone medical gas therapy is a powerful, non-invasive treatment used to reduce pain, promote healing, and enhance overall wellness. It has been successfully applied to conditions such as osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease, chronic wounds, ear infections, and even kidney disease.

Key Benefits of Ozone Therapy:

✅ Reduces Pain & Inflammation – Ozone stimulates oxygen flow to targeted areas, helping to reduce inflammation and relieve pain associated with joint and spinal conditions.

✅ Boosts Immune Function – Ozone therapy enhances white blood cell production, strengthening the body’s ability to fight infections and accelerate healing.

✅ Antiviral & Antibacterial Properties – Ozone destroys bacteria, fungi, and viruses on contact, making it highly effective for treating ear infections, wounds, and chronic infections.

✅ Supports Kidney Function – Studies show that ozone therapy can improve kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease, reducing oxidative stress and enhancing circulation.

✅ Promotes Faster Healing & Regeneration – Ozone stimulates the body's natural healing mechanisms, increasing interferon and tumor necrosis factor production, which are essential for fighting infections and supporting tissue repair.

For over 100 years, ozone has been used to purify water, eliminate harmful pathogens, and promote health. Now, it offers a cutting-edge, drug-free solution for managing pain and improving overall well-being in veterinary medicine.

Interested in learning more? Contact us to see how ozone therapy can help your pet!