A comparison of intravenous-only and intra-articular-plus-intravenous protocols of autologous conditioned serum in dogs with hip osteoarthritis—a retrospective study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS) administration in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA), comparing an intravenous-only treatment protocol (IVG) and an intra-articular-followed-by-intravenous treatment protocol (IAG). Study design Retrospective study. Animals Sixteen dogs. Methods Information from dogs with naturally occurring bilateral hip OA was obtained and assigned to two groups: an intravenous treatment group (IVG, n = 8) and an intra-articular followed by intravenous treatment group (IAG, n = 8). Dogs in the IVG received 6 mL of Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS) intravenously on Days 0 and 60. Dogs in the IAG received 6 mL of ACS intra-articularly on Day 0 (3 mL per hip joint), followed by 6 mL administered intravenously on Day 60. All dogs were prescribed 3 days of rest following each treatment administration. Treatment response was assessed at baseline and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days using translated and validated versions of the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD), and Canine Orthopedic Index (COI). Results Both groups showed clinical improvements in pain, stiffness, and function scores compared with baseline. However, the IAG showed significantly greater improvements than the IVG in CBPI and LOAD from 15 days post-treatment ( p < 0.05), with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large and increasing over the follow-up period. COI Function scores showed significant differences from day 30 ( p < 0.05), while Gait scores were significantly different at all post-treatment time points except day 60, and Quality of Life scores only from day 90. The IAG also achieved a clinically significant reduction in these same scores significantly earlier than the IVG (log-rank test, p < 0.05). Hematological and biochemical parameters remained within reference ranges throughout the study period in both groups. Conclusions and clinical relevance Both treatments were associated with improvements in the clinical signs of hip osteoarthritis in dogs. However, IAG had greater improvements in pain and function scores.
Source: Frontiers in Pain Research
Authors: Maria Constantino, J. C. Alves
Institutions: Universidade Lusófona, Guarda Nacional Republicana
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,077
OpenAlex ID: W7223398334