When Arthrex Senior Product Development Scientist Valerie Greenwood was tapped to develop the canine protocol for ACP Max™ Platelet-Rich Plasma System to treat tears, degeneration and inflammation in dogs in 2021, it was a dream come true.
“As an animal lover, I have a personal attachment to this product,” she said. “I already work on the human side of developing the ACP Max system, and I know how much it helps people. It felt so good to work on the vet side, too.”
The ACP Max system concentrates platelets and growth factors from a patient’s own blood, creating platelet rich plasma (PRP) at the point of care. Compared to the original ACP, it allows for a larger blood volume and provides more concentrated platelets using a unique double spin technique and the original double-syringe.
“Growth factors in platelets and the proteins that the platelets release help reduce pain and inflammation and ideally speed up the recruitment of other cells that jump start the healing process,” Valerie said.
What’s more, Valerie was able to run the testing using blood collected from her own dog, Luna. So, when Luna herself ended up needing surgery after tearing her cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), which is equivalent to the human ACL, it was a full-circle moment.
“Luna’s injury was repaired with the Arthrex TPLO Locking Plate System, and then the surgeon used ACP Max to help her heal,” Valerie said. “It’s amazing that she was helped with a product that I helped develop, using her own blood for testing.”
Today, Luna is fully healed and doing well. And her outcome is a testament to the importance of the testing and product development at Arthrex.
“Today, only a small percentage of vets are even aware of PRP treatments like this and how it can help their patients,” said Vet Systems Product Manager, Tony Gawaldo. “ACP Max is an alternative solution over other injections like cortisone that simply masks the pain. It’s an autologous treatment, using the patient’s own blood to decrease inflammation and reverse the effects of osteoarthritis, help heal torn tendons and ligaments, and signal the body to increase its healing potential at an injury site.”
Tony’s own two Pitbulls, Boris and Natasha, regularly donate blood to Arthrex Vet Systems research.
“It’s always my goal to help animals,” Tony said. “And we discovered that Boris is a platelet making machine, so he is a very valuable donor.”
Dogs who donate to Arthrex studies go to Harborside Animal Clinic in Naples, Florida where they are safely sedated while they are giving blood to minimize their stress during the process.
“It’s really amazing to see how ACP can turn a dog who is limping into one who is happy again and running around,” Tony said.
Anyone in Southwest Florida who would like to consider having their own dogs donate blood for research can contact Valerie by emailing Valerie.Greenwood@arthrex.com. Dogs must weigh at least 45 pounds and be in good health.
“Our canine research really benefits from having a variety of breeds, ages and weights,” Valerie said. “We rely on volunteers and word of mouth to do this important work.”