The Next Frontier: 5 Ways Stem Cells Could Change Pet Health Forever

The Future of Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs: 5 Conditions on the Horizon

We talk a lot about what stem cells can treat today, like arthritis, ligament tears and inflammatory conditions. But what about the near future?

As global studies expand, a new wave of treatments is quietly taking shape for pets. And while they may not be widely available just yet, all signs point to a future where they’re not just possible, they’re likely. Especially if you’ve already banked your dog’s healthy cells.

Want to know what stem cells can treat right now?  Read more here.

Here are five of the most promising areas in veterinary stem cell research, and why we’re watching them closely.

1. Liver Disease: Supporting Natural Repair

Chronic liver conditions like hepatitis and cirrhosis are notoriously difficult to treat, and often progress without many good options. But research into stem cell-derived therapies is starting to shift the landscape.

🧪 How they work:

MSCs (the ones we bank at Elita) naturally release healing signals, including exosomes, tiny, cell-derived messengers that can help reduce inflammation and support the repair of liver tissue.

🌍 How far along is it?

While not a stem cell study in the traditional sense, a recent trial looked at exosomes derived from adipose MSCs, the same cells stored at Elita. These exosomes were administered to 295 dogs with naturally occurring liver disease, all treated using their own (autologous) cells. That’s not just a large sample for veterinary science, it’s unprecedented for an autologous treatment study. Over six months, dogs showed significant improvements in liver enzymes and clinical signs (Read the study here).

💡 Why it matters:

The study authors note that liver disease in dogs shares striking similarities with human conditions, meaning the rapid progress in human stem cell therapies could soon translate to pets. By banking your dog’s MSCs today, you’re not just preserving healthy cells, you’re opening the door to emerging treatments like exosomes, and staying one step ahead as science moves from human to veterinary care.

2. Kidney Disease: Slowing Progression & Protecting Function

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects thousands of ageing dogs. While current treatments only manage symptoms, stem cell therapy could change that.

🧪 How they work:

Studies suggest MSCs may help reduce inflammation in the kidneys, protect delicate filtering structures (tubules), and support blood vessel growth, slowing down further damage.

🌍 How far along is it?

In one study, dogs with drug-induced CKD that were treated with MSCs showed improvements in appetite and energy, as well as stabilised kidney markers used by vets to track disease progression, like creatinine and other early indicators of kidney function. (read the full study here)

💡 Why it matters:

Kidney disease often progresses quietly, and once damage is done, it’s irreversible. By banking your dog’s healthy cells early, you give them a chance to access therapies that could slow that decline, and protect their quality of life for longer.

3. Gut Health: Modulating the Microbiome

The gut microbiome doesn’t just affect digestion, it influences everything from immunity to mood and long-term health. And while it’s early days, researchers are now exploring whether stem cells could support gut healing by restoring microbial balance.

🧪 How they work:

In lab studies, MSCs have been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut, support repair of the intestinal lining, and gently shift the immune system in ways that allow healthy bacteria to thrive.

🌍 How far along is it?

One promising study in mice found that MSCs helped restore gut microbiome diversity and improved gut barrier function in animals with experimental colitis (Read the study here). While this research hasn’t been done in dogs yet, it’s an exciting direction, especially as the mechanisms appear to cross species.

💡 Why it matters:

According to PetSure’s 2025 Pet Health Monitor, gastrointestinal conditions are now the second most common issue facing Aussie dogs. And with growing global evidence linking gut health to everything from allergies to immune disorders, we believe this area is ripe for innovation.

It’s still early, but breakthroughs like this only happen when we invest in what’s possible. We’re watching this space closely as we explore how stem cells could support the microbiome in the years ahead.

4. Spinal Cord Injury: A New Hope for Nerve Repair

Spinal injuries, whether from trauma or degeneration, can have devastating effects on dogs and their families. And while surgery helps some, others are left with limited mobility and few treatment options. That’s why researchers are exploring stem cells as a potential next step in recovery.

🧪 How they work:

MSCs are being studied for their potential to reduce inflammation around the spinal cord, support nerve healing, and release growth factors that may help damaged neural tissue regenerate.

🌍 How far along is it?

In one clinical study of dogs with Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a kind of spinal cord disease, stem cell injections showed clinical benefit in those who had stopped improving after surgery. Most regained some mobility, with improved gait and limb awareness, and no adverse effects were reported. (Read the full study here)

💡 Why it matters:

This treatment doesn’t require invasive surgery. And for dogs with few remaining options, it could offer a new kind of hope. It’s still early in the journey, but these kinds of results are why we’re excited about what stem cells could unlock next.

5. Heart Disease: Supporting Failing Hearts

Some heart conditions, like mitral valve disease, can develop silently and worsen over time, especially in small and older breeds. While medications can help, researchers are exploring whether stem cells could offer another layer of protection.

🧪 How they work:

MSCs are being studied for their potential to reduce inflammation, support heart tissue health, and slow disease progression by releasing helpful signals into the bloodstream.

🌍 How far along is it?

In one study, dogs with early-stage mitral valve disease were treated with MSCs. The dogs that received stem cells showed slower heart enlargement compared to the placebo group, and no side effects were reported. (Read the full study here)

💡 Why it matters:

While this isn’t a cure, it points to a future where stem cells might help preserve heart function and buy more time, especially when caught early. We're excited to see where this research goes next, and how it could shape new treatment pathways for heart health.

So What Does This Mean for You (and Your Dog)?

In the last decade, stem cell research for pets has progressed faster than ever. Treatments for arthritis and joint disease are already in use, and early studies into liver, kidney, spinal, gut, and heart health are showing promising signs.

There’s still more to understand. But by banking your dog’s healthy cells now, you’re giving them access to today’s proven options, and a front-row seat to what’s coming next.

It also means they may be eligible for early clinical trials or emerging treatments when the time is right.

Because when it comes to your dog’s health, being ready matters.

👉 Sign up now to protect your pet’s future