THE USE OF STEM CELL THERAPY IN TREATING DEGENERATIVE DISEASES IN HORSES AND OTHER COMPANION ANIMALS

Abstract

Regenerative medicine has emerged as a transformative approach for managing chronic musculoskeletal disorders in veterinary medicine, particularly through the application of mesenchymal stem cell–based therapies. This study employed a mixed-methods experimental design to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells in companion animals with naturally occurring degenerative musculoskeletal conditions. Quantitative clinical scores, imaging-derived regeneration indices, and longitudinal follow-up data were combined with qualitative functional assessments to comprehensively assess treatment outcomes. The results demonstrated significant and sustained improvements in musculoskeletal function, reduced disease severity, and enhanced tissue regeneration following stem cell administration. Early post-treatment assessments revealed rapid functional gains, while mid- and late-stage evaluations confirmed stabilization and long-term persistence of therapeutic benefits. Imaging analyses supported objective structural repair, aligning with observed clinical recovery patterns. Importantly, therapeutic responses were consistent across subjects with varying baseline severities, indicating broad applicability and reproducibility. The integration of clinical, imaging, and functional outcomes highlights the regenerative and immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells, suggesting a disease-modifying rather than purely symptomatic mechanism of action. These findings reinforce the translational value of companion animal models in regenerative medicine and support the advancement of mesenchymal stem cell therapies for both veterinary and human musculoskeletal disorders.