What is Cartrophen Vet?
Cartrophen Vet is a disease modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) of plant origin with multiple pharmacological actions that work to retard the progression of arthritis by:
- Inhibiting enzymes that break down cartilage and stimulates natural inhibitors of these destructive enzymes.
- Stimulating production of lubricant and cartilage molecules by joint cells.
- Improving nutrition to joint tissues by improving blood circulation to tissues.
Most pets respond quickly to the initial course with increased activity and well-being.


The treatment
It may be necessary to repeat the full course where the symptoms have fully reappeared more than six months after the last injection.
If you want your pet to enjoy the FULL benefit of treatment, it is essential to complete the full course as recommended by your veterinarian.

Ensure your pet receives the proper quantity of Cartrophen Vet
A few facts about Cartrophen Vet
- Has been sold in Canada since 1994 and is marketed internationally.
- Is of plant origin (derived from European Beech).
- Is administered as a series of 4 subcutaneous injections one week apart followed by single injections as required.
- Is called a Disease Modifying Osteoarthritis Drug (DMOAD).
- Relieves pain and lameness including the range of pain-free movement by treating the underlying disease process not just the symptoms.
- Has remarkably few adverse events.
- Is the treatment of choice of osteoarthritis in dogs.
- Is not a NSAID.
Our parent company also has a website, www.cartrophen.com, which has many informative scientific and useful facts.

Side effects
Side effects are rare, but your pet may vomit, feel lethargic or experience diarrhea for a day or two following an injection. Consult your veterinarian promptly if you see these and other symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
When do you start dogs on Cartrophen Vet?
How Important is the 4-week course of treatment?
How frequently should Cartrophen Vet be administered?
The client should be advised to monitor their pet for increased signs of lameness and should contact their Veterinarian as to the necessity of another injection of Cartrophen Vet.
Should Cartrophen Vet be given prior to surgery?
Is not recommended that Cartrophen Vet and NSAIDs be given together prior to surgery. Consequently, the administration of Cartrophen Vet a week prior to surgery is not contraindicated but generally, if other drugs are to be used to control the acute phase of pain, Cartrophen Vet should not be administered for at least a week prior to surgery.
Can Cartrophen Vet be administered after surgery? How long after surgery?
Some surgeons administer Cartrophen Vet shortly after surgery rather than use NSAIDs.
There is an unintended benefit from the use of Cartrophen Vet administered after surgery when compared to NSAIDs. The pet tends to be somewhat less robust in its movements than after the use of NSAIDs. The latter may increase a false sense of confidence and the analgesic effect may result in increased physical activity when the pet should really be resting. Cartrophen Vet, being a disease-modifying drug has a slower onset of pain relief and the animal will tend to rest, as it would normally do when recovering from trauma. In human medicine it is possible to instruct the person in conservative management of lameness recovery, but an animal requires some internal indicator (e.g. some pain) to instruct it to take it easy.
Is blood monitoring required for Cartrophen Vet as for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?
Is there a benefit of the slower onset of Cartrophen Vet as compared to NSAIDs?
How does Cartrophen Vet help in a geriatric program for pets?
What about Cartrophen Vet use in cats?
ELMIRON (pentosan polysulphate sodium) is the first and only oral medication that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the counterpart to Health Canada in the United States) for treating the pain or discomfort of interstitial cystitis in human. It is available by prescription only, is believed to help repair and restore the damaged bladder lining. Clinical studies show some persons may experience symptom improvement in as little as 4 weeks or as long as 3 months.
Many veterinarians use Cartrophen Vet off label in cats for interstitial cystitis, hence we are providing the following information on its current use.
