What Can You Really Use Your Pet’s Stem Cells For?

When we talk about stem cell therapy, it often feels futuristic. But here’s the truth: it’s already here. In clinics across Australia, veterinarians are using stem cells today to treat real conditions in real dogs.

So what can your vet use your pet’s stem cells for right now?

Vets are already using stem cells globally; but in Australia they’re primarily using donor-derived or "allogeneic" ones, for conditions like:

• Osteoarthritis
• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Cruciate ligament injuries
• Pain and inflammation relief

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But donor cells come with risks, rejection, immune responses, and lower success rates. When the cells come from your own dog (known as autologous stem cells), those risks drop dramatically. Their biology can become their best medicine.

Storing your dog’s healthy cells early can open the door to less invasive options. It could help avoid the stress of major surgery or the cost and side effects of lifelong medications.

What might your vet be able to use them for soon?

The global research community has been hard at work, and the results are exciting. Here are just a few conditions showing early but promising signs of being treatable with stem cells in the near future:

1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

A 2015 trial treated 11 dogs with severe IBD using a single IV infusion of donor adipose-derived stem cells. Within 6 weeks, clinical scores dropped significantly, nutritional absorption improved, and over 80% achieved clinical remission. That's a game-changer for a condition with few good treatment options. (read the study here)

2. Autoimmune Disorders

In 2022, five dogs in Japan with life-threatening autoimmune anaemia—unresponsive to standard therapy—were treated with stem cells. All five improved. Blood transfusions stopped. Red cell production resumed. While the sample size was small and should be repeated, this kind of result is rare and remarkable. (read the study here)

3. Acute Liver Injury

Dogs with toxic liver damage treated with stem cells recovered liver function dramatically faster than untreated peers. Enzyme levels normalised, tissue regenerated, and symptoms resolved. For acute injuries with few good interventions, this could be life-saving.

These emerging applications are particularly exciting because they tackle diseases where traditional treatments fall short—either offering little relief, significant side effects, or no long-term solution. (read the study here)

What does the future hold?

At Elita, we believe your dog’s stem cells are more than a one-off treatment. They’re a long-term health asset.

What we believe the future looks like, having your dog’s biology stored:

• Tracking their health over time through periodic bloodwork
• Catching disease markers early, before symptoms appear
• Acting preventatively, using stem cells to support their health before illness takes hold

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We’re working towards a future that lets you stay ahead of illness, not just be forced to react to it. By banking your pet’s healthy cells early, you’ll unlock more options over time, so if something shows up down the track, we can help you treat the cause before the symptoms.