Dietary plasma vs injectable plasma - different routes, different benefits

By Dr Rebecca MacMillan BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS

Did you know that plasma can be used in different ways? Injectable plasm is becoming a hot topic, but how does it differ from the dietary plasma that we use in plasma treats for cats and dogs? Read on to find out more about the benefits of plasma for your pets. 

What is plasma?

Let’s start by exploring what plasma is!

Plasma is the clear fluid obtained from blood once spun down at high speed in a centrifuge. Blood comprises a mixture of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Plasma is a nutrient-rich fluid, containing proteins like albumin, globulins and fibrinogen. This process of separating blood is commonly used in blood testing and transfusion medicine. Plasma can also be used in other aspects of medicine, more recently in the treatment of osteoarthritis and tendon injuries.

However, blood drained from the slaughter of animals for human consumption can also be spun down to separate out the plasma. The extracted plasma (usually from pork and beef) can then be spray-dried and turned into powder, for use in pet food manufacturing.

 

Dietary plasma

What is dietary plasma used for?

Animal plasma can be used in the production of pet food and treats to improve its texture, especially in pates and chunk wet meals. The proteins in plasma act as an emulsifying and binding agent, as they form stable structures when cooked. Plasma can replace the need for hydrocolloids which are gums used to thicken, emulsify or coat foods. Gums don’t add any nutritional value to foods but have been linked with negative effects on digestibility and stool quality. They can also contribute to gut inflammation.

As well as changing the texture of food, spray-dried animal plasma in pet food has the advantage that it is highly nutritious and enhances the flavour. Studies support this with cats showing a statistically significant preference for diets containing spray-dried animal plasma.

 

What are the benefits of plasma in our pet’s diets?

Plasma is full of high-quality and easily digestible proteins. Spray-dried animal plasma is also a good source of minerals and trace elements, especially iron. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and other functional proteins that support the immune system are also found.

 This means that dietary plasma is excellent at promoting –

 

• Muscle repair and growth
• Skin and coat condition
• Immune-system health
• Improved digestion
• Brain health, through neuroprotective benefits
• Increased food intake due to its palatability

Making use of the whole carcass during the production of meat, including by-products like blood, also reduces food waste which is better for the environment.

 Check out DotDotPet's plasma based pet treats here

Injectable plasma

What is injectable plasma?

Injectable plasma is also known as platelet-rich plasma. Platelets found within our blood contain growth factors and proteins that help with inflammation, healing and immune-system health. For this reason, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can be used in the management of osteoarthritis. It is commonly used in human and equine medicine but is just starting to be explored more in smaller pets like dogs.

PRP therapy usually involves collecting blood from the affected animal and isolating their plasma and platelets with a specific syringe and centrifuge system.

An injection of this platelet-rich plasma is given directly into the affected joint, in a sterile procedure under sedation. This means that the PRP is administered exactly where it is needed, giving the affected inflamed and painful joint the maximum benefit possible.

Each case is different, and some dogs only require a single injection which will last them a long time, whereas others may need to have a course.

 

What are the benefits of injectable plasma?

Injectable plasma accelerates natural internal healing processes. It places a higher-than-normal concentration of platelets into the affected joint. This increases the biological signals that would occur naturally when the body sends platelets to an injury site. The research suggests that PRP may be able to attract stem cells, as well as stimulate local tissue repair. Growth factors released by platelets are thought to be involved in improving the healing of damaged cells and connective tissues.

The procedure involves sedation to administer the PRP injection into the joint in a controlled and sterile manner, to reduce the risk of introducing infection with the needle. Side effects are uncommon, but patients can be sore for 24 -72 hours after the injection. However, this is temporary. Because PRP is autologous (uses your dog’s own cells) you don’t need to worry about finding a suitable blood donor. There is also no risk of infectious disease transmission.

More recently the FDA has recently approved an off-the-shelf PRP product specifically for dogs with osteoarthritis and tendon injuries. This means drawing blood and centrifuging for each individual animal may become a thing of the past.

PRP therapy has only just started to be used in dogs so you may find that only specialist veterinary clinics are currently offering it.

 

Why might my dog need plasma injections?

PRP injections are just one of the many ways that osteoarthritis can be managed. They are no replacement for weight loss/maintaining a healthy body weight, and regular, moderate exercise, but may be used alongside.

Other treatments for osteoarthritis include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which may be more effective at relieving pain than PRP injections but can’t be used in some dogs with underlying gastrointestinal, liver or kidney disease.  PRP injections have fewer potential side effects so could be a safer choice for these dogs.

PRP injections might also be tried in dogs where other things are no longer helping like medical management, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. They are often not a first line treatment as they are not routinely given by first opinion vets.

 

Summary

Dietary plasma and injectable plasma are very different products. Plasma for dogs and cats in pet food is from the blood of slaughtered animals. It is used to enhance the texture, flavour, nutritional content and digestibility of pet foods and treats. Injectable plasma is obtained from your dog’s own blood and injected into diseased joints to help reduce inflammation and promote the body’s healing processes. All pets can benefit from dietary plasma, whereas injectable plasma is only administered in certain health conditions. Research is ongoing in all areas of plasma though so watch this space for more exciting developments!