Stem Cells 101: What Pet Parents Should Know About Mesenchymal Stem Cells

How these unique cells are being studied for their potential to help pets heal

Stem cell therapy is one of the most talked-about areas in veterinary medicine today—and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are at the heart of it. These specialized cells occur naturally in the body and have the ability to respond to inflammation, release healing signals, and support tissue repair.

In veterinary research, MSCs are being studied as a potential new way to address diseases that have limited treatment options, especially conditions that involve chronic inflammation or immune system imbalance.

Note: Gallant’s investigational therapies are not approved for commercial use. All studies are conducted under FDA oversight.

What Are Mesenchymal Stem Cells?

Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent cells—meaning they can develop into several different cell types. More importantly for veterinary applications, they release chemical signals that may:

In current clinical trials, veterinarians are evaluating how MSCs could be used to target the root cause of disease, not just manage symptoms.

Why They’re Being Studied for Pets

Management of many conditions in cats and dogs focuses on symptom relief. MSCs are being investigated to determine whether they could offer a different approach by supporting the body’s own healing mechanisms.

Potential areas of investigation

Potential areas of investigation include:

• Inflammatory conditions (i.e. oral disease such as feline chronic gingivostomatitis, atopic dermatitis, osteoarthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, auto-immune brain disease)
• Degenerative conditions (kidney disease, nervous system diseases, joint disease)
• Injuries (spinal cord injury, wounds)

From the Lab to the Veterinary Clinic

Stem cell therapy for pets is evolving. Historically, treatments relied on autologous cells—taken from the patient, processed, and returned to the same animal. While effective in certain cases, this process can be time-consuming, and the stem cells can have a large variability in quality, quality, and effectiveness, especially if they are taken from a sick pet.

Today, allogeneic approaches—using donor-derived MSCs prepared in controlled facilities—are being studied for their potential to:

• Provide a standardized, ready-to-use product
• Reduce the need for surgery to harvest cells
• Make regenerative care more accessible to general veterinary practices

A Step Forward in Veterinary Care

If approved, MSC-based therapies could represent a new category of care—regulated, designed for everyday use in clinics, and available when pets need them. Gallant’s investigational products are being developed with rigorous quality controls and FDA-aligned protocols to ensure that any future adoption is safe, ethical, and effective.

Still Under Investigation

While early research is promising, Gallant’s therapies are currently available only through FDA-authorized clinical trials. These studies are essential for determining how MSCs may best be used to help pets in the future.

Interested in Participating?

We’re actively enrolling cats into studies evaluating investigational stem cell therapy for a variety of conditions.

Learn about our clinical trials, find a participating clinic, and talk to your veterinarian about joining a study.

Disclaimer

Gallant’s investigational stem cell therapies are not commercially available. These veterinary products may be available through participation in a study at a qualified clinic under FDA-authorized protocols. This blog is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.