title: A randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of autologous platelet therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine efficacy of a single intra-articular injection of an autologous platelet concentrate for treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, controlled, 2-center clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 client-owned dogs with osteoarthritis involving a single joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. In all dogs, severity of lameness and pain was scored by owners with the Hudson visual analog scale and the University of Pennsylvania Canine Brief Pain Inventory, respectively, and peak vertical force (PVF) was determined with a force platform. Dogs in the treatment group were then sedated, and a blood sample (55 mL) was obtained. Platelets were recovered by means of a point-of-use filter and injected intra-articularly within 30 minutes. Control dogs were sedated and given an intra-articular injection of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Assessments were repeated 12 weeks after injection of platelets or saline solution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dogs weighed between 18.3 and 63.9 kg (40.3 and 140.6 lb) and ranged from 1.5 to 8 years old. For control dogs, lameness scores, pain scores, and PVF at week 12 were not significantly different from pretreatment values. In contrast, for dogs that received platelet injections, lameness scores (55% decrease in median score), pain scores (53% decrease in median score), and PVF (12% increase in mean PVF) were significantly improved after 12 weeks, compared with pretreatment values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggested that a single intra-articular injection of autologous platelets resulted in significant improvements at 12 weeks in dogs with osteoarthritis involving a single joint.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fahie
authors.forename: Girolamo A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ortolano
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guercio
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Schaffer
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Au
authors.forename: Bianca A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hettlich
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Alicia L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bertone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000662:veterinary*