Healing From Within: How PRP Joint Injections Support Your Pet’s Recovery

Meaghan Monahan, CVT, BS
Jun 27
2 min read

At Red Sage Integrative Veterinary Partners, we believe in using your pet’s own biology to help them heal faster, feel better, and stay active longer. One of the most effective regenerative therapies we offer is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP).

This post is the first in a series exploring the science behind regenerative medicine and the range of advanced healing options we offer at Red Sage. Regenerative medicine focuses on restoring function and promoting repair by harnessing the body’s own natural healing capabilities, often through the use of biologics like PRP. In future posts, we’ll dive into non-biologic joint therapies like Spryng and Arthramid, as well as stem cell harvesting and how these innovative tools can support long-term joint health.

What is PRP?

PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma, a powerful tool in regenerative medicine derived from your pet’s own blood. After a quick and simple blood draw, we process the sample using our advanced Arthrex Angel system, which separates the components of blood and concentrates the platelet-rich fraction.

On a cellular level:

Platelets are small, disc-shaped cells found in the blood that play a central role in healing. When tissue is injured, platelets rush to the site and release growth factors, signaling proteins that:

Stimulate the repair and regeneration of soft tissue
Promote new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis)
Recruit stem cells and other healing cells to the area
Reduce local inflammation through anti-inflammatory cytokines

By concentrating these platelets-- often to levels 3 to 8 times higher than normal-- and injecting them directly into a damaged or inflamed joint, we amplify the body's natural healing response right where it’s needed most.

What to Expect After a PRP Injection

After a PRP injection, it’s common to see a few days of mild soreness or stiffness as the joint reacts to the influx of healing cells. Most pets begin showing improved comfort and movement within a week or two, with continued benefits over time as the tissue begins to repair.

This therapy can significantly alter the course of healing for pets dealing with:

Chronic joint inflammation
Osteoarthritis
Tendon or ligament injuries
Post-surgical recovery

A Natural, Targeted Approach to Joint Health

By using the body’s own cellular mechanisms to jumpstart healing, PRP offers a safe, minimally invasive option to improve joint health, reduce pain, and restore mobility-- all without long-term medications or invasive procedures.