AdiCell procedure
Treating your dog's osteoarthritis
AdiCell™ is a treatment for arthritic diseases in dogs. It uses your dog’s own fat cells to heal an arthritic joint, such as a hip or knee. This safe technology puts to work your dog’s natural regeneration system.
The one day AdiCell procedure is simple.
- Anaesthetic - sedating your dog
- Removing fat tissue from your dog’s abdomen
- Preparing the fat tissue
- AdiCell injection into your dog’s arthritic joint
For further procedure information, visit
Does your dog have joint pain?
One of our expert consultants will call you within 5 days to discuss your dog’s health.
When your pet is scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure you may think of the risks of general anaesthesia, or sedation. This is perfectly natural. Fortunately current anaesthetics are predictable and safe when properly used. Additionally, your dog’s ability to handle an anaesthetic is part of the initial health assessment.
Why a general anaesthetic?
Veterinary surgeons use general anaesthetics more frequently than surgeons treating humans. The reason is simple. Unlike humans, pets do not stay still when asked. Procedures such as xrays, joint examinations and injections cannot be done safely in animals without sedation.
Taking a sample of fat from your dog is a simple procedure. We require only 15 to 20 grams of fat tissue for the AdiCell treatment. This fat tissue, called adipose tissue, is taken from your dog’s abdomen.
How is the fat removed?
Under a general anaesthetic, the veterinarian makes a small incision to remove the fat. The wound is sealed with a couple of stitches. There may be some swelling and bruising around the area of the incision. Generally this reduces a couple of days after the AdiCell procedure.
Next, a Regeneus specialist prepares the AdiCell injection at the Regeneus laboratory. This will take less than 2 hours. Rapid turn around is one of the advantages of AdiCell. Other surgical procedures for osteoarthritis require a much greater time and financial commitment.
Each arthritic joint requires one AdiCell injection only. The procedure, from anaesthesia to injection, is done on the same day.
During the AdiCell procedure an accredited veterinary team takes the utmost care to reduce any risk to your pet.
A team member performs blood tests beforehand. This is to ensure your pet does not have any underlying disease that could complicate the procedure. The team carefully monitors the condition of your pet using an ECG, a pulse oximeter, a heart rate monitor and a respiration monitor. A veterinary nurse monitors your pet during anaesthetic and recovery.
First 10 days after AdiCell
Dogs treated with AdiCell often develop a general sense of well being and begin to behave like puppies again. It is important to restrict this behaviour in early days.
To avoid new injuries or damage to treated joints:
- Reduce your dog’s exercise for the first 10 days
- Keep your dog on the leash during walks
- Control jumping and any uncontrolled activity, this includes stairs and wet or smooth floors
- Avoid any new, physically demanding activities
10 days after treatment
Ten days after AdiCell therapy, if your dog’s wound has healed, you can slowly increase physical exercise. For example, build up the length of daily walks. This will reinforce muscle and endurance.
Limit any rapid and extended joint motion. Depending on your dog’s level of activity prior to treatment, running, playing, jumping or any unrestricted activity should still be kept under control.
Swimming after 1 month
Swimming can resume or commence at 1 month after regenerative treatment. Swimming does require rapid joint motion, so it is not recommended until this time. Swimming, however, is a non weight bearing exercise that will help to build your dog’s muscle strength.
Physiotherapy
Some dogs may benefit from physiotherapy. A specialised animal physiotherapist can recommend exercises suitable for your pet. These exercises may assist blood flow to an area.
How physiotherapy may benefit your dog's health:
- Helps the healing process
- Helps prevent contraction of soft tissue
- Increases circulation
- Relieves muscle stiffness
- May improve muscle tone and strength to support joints