Common questions about ADStem™ — what it is, what to expect on the day, and what comes next. Answered in plain language for pet parents. If you'd like to read more before your vet visit, see the For Pet Parents page.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative disease of the joint.
Its symptoms include synovial inflammation, cartilage loss, torn ligaments, osteophyte formation, and joint space narrowing. These symptoms can lead to chronic pain, stiffness of the joint, lameness, and often a severely decreased quality of life. While the exact triggers of OA are not precisely understood, it is associated with obesity, age, and damage of the joint, as well as genetic factors, including dysplasia.
ADStem™ is the first licensed veterinary therapy in Europe derived from canine-specific stem cells. Unlike traditional treatments that only mask the symptoms of pain, ADStem™ is designed to target the biological root cause of joint decay by repairing damaged tissue and restoring natural function.
Most conventional treatments, such as NSAIDs or supplements, offer temporary relief but do not stop the underlying cartilage from wearing away. ADStem™ acts as a "biological manager" that resets the joint environment, shifting it from a state of breakdown to one of active repair and regeneration.
Our dedicated safety studies demonstrated no immune reactions against the injected ADStem™
ADStem™ uses "allogeneic" stem cells, which are collected from healthy donor dogs rather than the patient themselves. We ethically source these cells from donated surgical waste (with owner consent) during routine procedures like neutering.
This "off-the-shelf" approach is the gold standard because it ensures high-quality, consistent cells — and eliminates the need for your dog to undergo an invasive surgery to harvest their own tissue.
ADStem™ is effective for all causes of canine osteoarthritis, whether due to hereditary dysplasia (such as hip or elbow dysplasia), aging, or general wear-and-tear. It has shown robust results in dogs with mild, moderate, and even severe joint damage.
The procedure is remarkably straightforward and takes place at your local veterinary clinic:
You may see improvements in your dog's mobility and happiness within just 3 to 8 weeks.
Depending on the dog’s and the joint’s condition reduced pain and/or lameness can be visible within 2 weeks – few months post-treatment.
Recovery within weeks
This treatment does not preclude the concurrent use of other medications and/or therapies; such decisions should be made at the discretion of the treating veterinarian.