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Autologous PRP is obtained from the blood of the same animal for which it is subsequently intended. Centrifugation produces a plasma fraction with concentrated platelets. Their signalling molecules are involved in coagulation, inflammation and repair processes.
PRP is not a standardised preparation, however. Cell content, volume, anticoagulant, processing and activation can vary considerably. The result of one study therefore cannot automatically be applied to another system or another animal species.
What the current evidence shows
Dogs: Osteoarthritis
Comparatively more clinical data are available for this indication. A 2025 systematic review included 18 studies involving 379 dogs. The reports indicate possible improvements in pain or function in some animals. However, different preparations, incomplete reporting and a frequently high risk of bias prevent a definitive conclusion about efficacy.
Horses: Joints
A 2024 meta-analysis found positive signals for intra-articular PRP products. Only five studies could be quantitatively pooled, and many studies had a high risk of bias. This does not establish that PRP slows osteoarthritis or regenerates cartilage.
Horses: Tendons and ligaments
Individual studies report improved clinical or imaging findings. However, a 2024 systematic review found no confirmed benefit of biological treatments overall in terms of return to performance. For PRP alone, protection against reinjury has likewise not been demonstrated.
Cats, wounds and eyes
The evidence is considerably weaker in these areas. Small pilot studies and case series are available, often without an appropriate control group. They provide directions for research but no basis for a general recommendation for routine use.
An accurate statement is: PRP may be considered as an adjunct in selected patients. It has not been shown that PRP cures osteoarthritis, reliably regenerates cartilage or tendons, replaces surgery or guarantees a specific treatment outcome.
What is platelet-rich plasma?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. Following blood collection, the blood components are separated by centrifugation. The plasma fraction used is intended to contain more platelets than the original blood.
Platelets store numerous signalling proteins. After activation, they can release substances involved in inflammation, the formation of new blood vessels and tissue repair. This biologically plausible mechanism is not, in itself, evidence of clinical efficacy.
Why “PRP” alone is not a sufficient description
Composition can vary substantially depending on the animal, the original blood and the preparation system. Factors relevant to an objective assessment include:
- initial and final volume
- platelet count and absolute platelet dose
- leukocytes, neutrophils and erythrocytes
- anticoagulant used
- relative centrifugal force and run time
- number of centrifugation steps
- fraction collected and storage
- activation and route of administration
A particularly high platelet concentration is not necessarily better. Similarly, leukocyte-rich PRP may induce different inflammatory signals than leukocyte-poor PRP. Statements about efficacy and tolerability must therefore relate to the specific preparation studied.
How is PRP prepared for animals?
There is no universal protocol for all animals and conditions. The specific procedure depends on the species, clinical findings, system used and intended application.
- Veterinary examination and determination of the indication
- Collection of a defined volume of blood
- Preparation using a defined, hygienically controlled procedure
- Collection and, where appropriate, characterisation of the intended plasma fraction
- Administration based on the veterinarian’s decision, with imaging guidance where appropriate
- Individual aftercare and follow-up
RPM values cannot simply be transferred between centrifuges. The relative centrifugal force actually generated, or RCF, also depends on the rotor radius. Nevertheless, a mathematically correct conversion does not establish a suitable veterinary treatment protocol. Priority must be given to the documented intended purpose, the manufacturer’s instructions and a procedure validated for the specific process.
For mathematical checks only, the RCF/RPM calculator and the centrifuge rotor radius database are available. These tools calculate or document technical values; they do not establish a veterinary preparation protocol.
Human medical protocols and CE markings cannot automatically be applied to veterinary use. The stated intended purpose of the specific product is decisive.
PRP in dogs
Osteoarthritis and joint problems
In dogs, PRP is most commonly studied in connection with osteoarthritis. Studies mainly assess pain, lameness, mobility or weight-bearing of the affected limb. Some studies show improvements of limited duration, while others show no clear difference from the control treatment.
The current systematic review of hip, elbow and stifle osteoarthritis describes possible clinical potential, but also major methodological gaps. Only seven of the 18 included studies used objective gait analysis, and many failed to report essential information about PRP composition. It therefore remains unclear which preparation might be appropriate for which dog and how long any possible effect lasts.
Osteoarthritis is generally managed using a multimodal approach. Weight management, adapted exercise, physiotherapy, pain management and, where appropriate, surgical measures remain relevant regardless of any potential use of PRP.
Other orthopaedic applications
PRP has also been studied in dogs in connection with tendon and ligament injuries, bone healing and orthopaedic procedures. A 2025 review found some positive early biological or functional signals, but long-term results were often comparable to those in the control groups. PRP does not stabilise an unstable joint and does not replace necessary surgery or rehabilitation.
In-depth article: PRP in dogs—evidence in osteoarthritis and orthopaedic conditions
PRP in horses
Tendon and ligament injuries
In sport horses, PRP has been used and studied for many years, particularly for tendon and ligament injuries. Small studies report changes in lameness, ultrasound findings or tissue organisation. However, the preparations, injuries and rehabilitation programmes vary considerably.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found no greater likelihood of return to performance for the biological treatments investigated. A lower risk of reinjury was found for mesenchymal stromal cells or their combination with PRP, but was not confirmed for PRP alone. These findings support neither a guarantee of success nor a general shortening of rehabilitation.
Joint diseases
Controlled studies are also available for equine joint disease. The meta-analysis published in 2024 found positive signals, but emphasised the small number of studies that could be pooled, the different PRP products and the frequently high risk of bias. Short-term changes in lameness or function are not equivalent to structural regeneration of articular cartilage.
Additional requirements under medicinal-product and residue law apply to equids that may enter the food chain. The entry in the equine passport must also be considered. Under the rules of German equestrian sport, the German Equestrian Federation (FN) currently lists PRP as a substance prohibited in competition in Annex I of the ADMR. Before treatment, the current German FN/ADMR rules and, where applicable, further federation rules must therefore be checked; no general withdrawal period is deliberately stated here.
Cats, wounds and ophthalmology
PRP in cats
Clinical evidence in cats is very limited. A 2024 exploratory case series included only six cats with osteoarthritis and had no control group. Such pilot data can investigate feasibility, but establish neither reliable efficacy nor general safety. Results from studies in dogs or horses cannot simply be transferred to cats.
Wounds
Small studies have been published in dogs on selected chronic or complex wounds. One case series included only six animals and had no control group. Moreover, results are inconsistent: in a controlled equine wound model, PRP was associated with exuberant granulation tissue and delayed healing during the early phase. The general claim that PRP accelerates wound healing is therefore not tenable.
Ophthalmology
Small, partly uncontrolled studies have investigated corneal defects in dogs and cats. A 2025 systematic review rated most of the included studies as being at high risk of bias and found no basis for PRP as standard care. Corneal diseases can progress rapidly and require veterinary or ophthalmological assessment.
Risks, limitations and contraindications
Autologous PRP comes from the animal being treated. As a result, reactions to foreign donor material are less of a concern. The procedure is not risk-free, however.
- pain, bleeding or haematoma during blood collection
- stress and risks associated with any necessary sedation or anaesthesia
- temporary local irritation, inflammatory reaction or increased lameness
- infection due to contamination or following an injection
- injury to adjacent structures or incorrect placement
- potential effects of anticoagulants or activators
- no clinical effect or only a temporary one
Changes in the blood count, coagulation disorders, infections, systemic diseases, medication and the animal’s general condition may influence the benefit–risk assessment. There is no universally valid exclusion list; the decision must relate to the individual patient and the specific procedure.
What should be documented?
Stating that “PRP was used” is insufficient for either scientific evaluation or a reproducible clinical procedure. Where relevant to the procedure, traceable documentation should include at least:
- species, diagnosis and treatment objective
- initial blood volume and anticoagulant
- preparation system, RCF, run time and number of steps
- initial and final volume
- platelet, leukocyte and erythrocyte values, if measured
- activation and amount administered
- site of administration and, where appropriate, imaging guidance
- concomitant treatment, aftercare and defined follow-up criteria
For studies and scientific reports, standardised minimum information such as MIBO provides useful guidance. It helps make different PRP preparations and results comparable in the first place.
Legal framework and intended product purpose
The legal classification depends on the specific procedure. In Germany, the legally robust standard approach is for the indication, patient-specific preparation and administration to take place under veterinary responsibility and in accordance with German veterinary medicinal-product law and the German rules governing veterinary dispensing.
The intended purpose of a tube, kit or device is defined by the manufacturer’s information and labelling. A CE marking for a human medical application is neither a veterinary authorisation nor automatically evidence of suitability for animals. For this reason, this article does not link to specific preparation products.
This section provides general guidance for Germany only and is not a substitute for a legal assessment of the specific procedure or product. The relevant national regulations apply in other countries.
Frequently asked questions
Can PRP cure osteoarthritis in animals?
No, there is no robust evidence for this. Changes in pain, lameness or function have been observed in some dogs and horses. Reliable regeneration of damaged cartilage or a halt in disease progression has not been demonstrated.
How many treatments are necessary?
There is no generally accepted number. Studies use single and repeated treatments at different intervals. The approach depends on the species, diagnosis, preparation and clinical course.
Can PRP replace surgery?
Not in general. PRP cannot correct unstable joints, complete ruptures or other mechanical problems. Whether surgery is required depends on the diagnosis and clinical findings.
Is a high platelet count always better?
No. The biological effect does not depend on platelet count alone. The absolute dose, leukocytes, erythrocytes, volume, activation and other factors influence the preparation.
Can PRP be used in the same way in all animal species?
No. Biology, blood volume, diseases and the available studies differ. Robust controlled data are particularly lacking for cats.
Selected scientific literature
- Cardona-Ramírez S, Wolfe PN, Correa-Valencia NM. Intra-articular use of platelet-rich plasma and its derivatives in canine osteoarthritis: a systematic review. JAVMA. 2025. DOI: 10.2460/javma.25.01.0033
- Vidal-Negreira F et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma in Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Quality Evaluation on Liquid- and Gel-Based Therapies in Dogs. Gels. 2025. DOI: 10.3390/gels11120994
- Peng C et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma products for treatment of equine joint disease. Equine Veterinary Journal. 2024. DOI: 10.1111/evj.14042
- Carmona JU, López C. Platelet-Rich Plasma in Equine Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Experimental Evidence. Animals. 2025. DOI: 10.3390/ani15182647
- M’Cloud WRC et al. Stem cells and platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of naturally occurring equine tendon and ligament injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAVMA. 2024. DOI: 10.2460/javma.23.12.0723
- Carmona JU, López C. Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Equine Tendon and Ligament Injuries: A Systematic Review. Veterinary Sciences. 2025. DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12040382
- Huntingford JL et al. Intra-articular injection of an allogeneic platelet-rich plasma system in cats with naturally occurring osteoarthritis: an exploratory case series. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2024. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1394055
- Uribe JA et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma for Corneal Ulceration: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies. Veterinary Medicine International. 2025. DOI: 10.1155/vmi/9921619
- Iacopetti I et al. Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Enhances the Healing of Large Cutaneous Wounds in Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2020. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.575449
- Carr BJ et al. Canine Platelet-Rich Plasma Systems: A Prospective Analysis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2015. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2015.00073
- Murray IR et al. Minimum Information for Studies Evaluating Biologics in Orthopaedics (MIBO). Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2017. MIBO checklist
German/EU legal sources: German Veterinary Medicinal Products Act (Tierarzneimittelgesetz), German Veterinary Dispensing Regulation (Tierärztliche Hausapothekenverordnung), Regulation (EU) 2019/6 and Regulation (EU) 2017/745.