PRP is another product that is derived from your horse’s own blood. Platelets are loaded with numerous growth factors that are released upon platelet activation. Large amounts of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-?) and platelet derived growth factor and smaller amounts of insulin-like growth (IGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and TGF-? are released upon activation. These growth factors and others act synergistically to enhance access of healthy inflammatory cells to the area of tissue injury, formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), formation of new connective tissue (fibroplasia) and regeneration of skin (re-epithelialization. PRP can be obtained in a matter of minutes. There are currently a variety of PRP kits available. Usually a centrifuge is used to help concentrate the platelets into the plasma which then can be used for treatment. PRP has been most commonly used to treat tendon and ligament injuries. The goal of treatment is to accelerate and improve the quality of healing. Recently veterinarians have begun to use PRP intra-articular to treat osteoarthritis.