kipster Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 I have a beautiful pure-bred male English Pointer. He's a solid 39kg and has just turned 10. A year ago he seemed to be tightening up in his movements; the vet suggested arthritis. He also suggested Cartrophen Vet treatment by injection, once a week for four weeks, then monthly. There was an immediate, wonderful improvement, and he has been great. Until his 10th monthly injection (May 2015). About 15 minutes after the injection, at home, he collapsed, seemed to be in a stupor, and his breathing was almost imperceptable. Before I could get help, he recovered in 15 minutes, and was quickly normal. Off to the vet, who said there was any number of reasons for this happening, and to try again next month. That was today. I gave him his injection. He was fine and chipper for about 15 minutes, then suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, and fell over when he tried to walk. Exactly as before, barely breathing, in a stupor. Expecting a quick recovery, I kept him warm and talked to him. But after 20 minutes of dread and no change I started CPR and massage. I don't think it helped. At 30 minutes I said a little prayer to the doggie gods, and suddenly he perked up and lay more upright, supporting himself. His breathing slowly improved, as did his awareness. He stood gingerly at 50 minutes, walked unsteadily to his nearby bed and lay there for an hour. At 1hr 30min he showed a passing interest in food, slowly taking a treat. At 2 hours he was back up, but a bit shaken. Now I feel guilty for believing my vet of ten years knew all there was to know about Cartrophen. I know now that he should have recognised these symptoms. Today I did what I should have done a year ago, and searched for contradictions. I was shocked to find plenty of a serious kind. That's what I suggest everyone should do before risking catastrophe for their beloved pet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHA Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 What a worry for us all! Do you give the injections at home? We have only ever had a course of a few injections, not 10 or 12? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labadore Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Must have been very scary for you and your dog and so glad he recovered. I have had a couple of my senior Labs on Cartrophen without any issues whatsoever and it helped them greatly. However, their frequency differed greatly from your boy's as after the initial once a week for 4 weeks, they were given it either once every 12 months or 6 months depending on how they were going. Once a month for a 10 year old dog just starting to show signs of arthritis seems IMHO excessive. No doubt this reaction would scare you off Cartrophen, so what about supplements like Jointguard and Rosehip Vital (Canine) to help your boy with his arthritis. I put my 7 year old Lab is on both of these when he ruptured his cruciate ligament and had TPLO surgery and he also damaged his meniscus so he will be more susceptible to arthritis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Any medication can have side effects. And you can also get weird random reactions. Cartrophen has made a huge improvement to the lives of many animals and I wouldn't panic if you are thinking of using it. However it is always a good idea to ask your vet about possible side effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 There could also be something wrong with your cartrophen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbedWire Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 My old dog has had two courses of cartrophen - once a week for four weeks - with no ill effects. I can't really say they helped him much though. After reading about the OP's experience I will be wary if it is suggested again. Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Also, for anyone wondering they have recently changed the Cartrophen regime, hence the monthly injections. Having said that, I was under the impression the increased frequency was for severe cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 I am on a 3 month interval. Well the dog is! It has been magic for my dog btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denali Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 (edited) [i am glad your dog is ok Kipster! Thats very scary. quote name=sarsaparilla' timestamp='1433112588' post='6698701] My old dog has had two courses of cartrophen - once a week for four weeks - with no ill effects. I can't really say they helped him much though. After reading about the OP's experience I will be wary if it is suggested again. Thank you for sharing. Henry was the same. Two courses and I have noticed no improvement with either, so instead of trying again as the vet suggested I bought a Henry hottie bed and started him on turmeric and have seen an improvement with that :) I will also be using a back in track coat through winter when he sleeps to see if that helps. . Edited May 31, 2015 by denali Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipster Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 What a worry for us all! Do you give the injections at home? We have only ever had a course of a few injections, not 10 or 12? Thanks. Yes, since the vet gave him his first five or six injections, I have given the rest at home, under the skin on the shoulder, with no problems, and a dog keen to cooperate, knowing there was a nice treat at the end of it. I'm sure he never even felt it. He tolerated the Cartrophen 100pc for a year, and it worked wonders. He was untroubled by arthritis, and ran freely. Then it was as though he'd suddenly developed an intolerance. Maybe it builds up. And maybe he should have been on fewer treatments. We'll never know, as he'll never have another one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipster Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 Must have been very scary for you and your dog and so glad he recovered. I have had a couple of my senior Labs on Cartrophen without any issues whatsoever and it helped them greatly. However, their frequency differed greatly from your boy's as after the initial once a week for 4 weeks, they were given it either once every 12 months or 6 months depending on how they were going. Once a month for a 10 year old dog just starting to show signs of arthritis seems IMHO excessive. No doubt this reaction would scare you off Cartrophen, so what about supplements like Jointguard and Rosehip Vital (Canine) to help your boy with his arthritis. I put my 7 year old Lab is on both of these when he ruptured his cruciate ligament and had TPLO surgery and he also damaged his meniscus so he will be more susceptible to arthritis. Thanks for your thoughts, Labadore. I will take your kind suggestions on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipster Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 There could also be something wrong with your cartrophen. Not impossible, but . . . My vial of Cartrophen has been kept refrigerated. The first time this happened, it was the last dose in the bottle, and I wondered if it could have gone off. But this last dose was the first from a new bottle. And each dose has been administered with a new, sterile syringe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipster Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 [i am glad your dog is ok Kipster! Thats very scary. quote name=sarsaparilla' timestamp='1433112588' post='6698701] My old dog has had two courses of cartrophen - once a week for four weeks - with no ill effects. I can't really say they helped him much though. After reading about the OP's experience I will be wary if it is suggested again. Thank you for sharing. Thanks Denali. All the best for your lovely dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 (edited) My dog gets it all the time she has been on monthly to three monthly for a few years now. A previous dog and cat were on it monthly for years with no issue. In your boys case he obvious now has an anaphylactic response so yep, no more. I also give mine rosehip vital with a lot of success Edited June 1, 2015 by OSoSwift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karly101 Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 It's true they can develop a sensitivity too it and I have only seen it in a couple of dogs. It is a fairly safe drug in that the risk of side effects is less the 1% and usually the side effects you see are lethargy or vomiting after the injection. I think the benefits are great as it helps so many dogs with arthritis and delays the use of medications which have much greater side effects. The important thing is to always monitor after giving any medication so you can act quickly should there be a reaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perfect partners Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 I have a beautiful pure-bred male English Pointer. He's a solid 39kg and has just turned 10. A year ago he seemed to be tightening up in his movements; the vet suggested arthritis. He also suggested Cartrophen Vet treatment by injection, once a week for four weeks, then monthly. There was an immediate, wonderful improvement, and he has been great. Until his 10th monthly injection (May 2015). About 15 minutes after the injection, at home, he collapsed, seemed to be in a stupor, and his breathing was almost imperceptable. Before I could get help, he recovered in 15 minutes, and was quickly normal. Off to the vet, who said there was any number of reasons for this happening, and to try again next month. That was today. I gave him his injection. He was fine and chipper for about 15 minutes, then suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, and fell over when he tried to walk. Exactly as before, barely breathing, in a stupor. Expecting a quick recovery, I kept him warm and talked to him. But after 20 minutes of dread and no change I started CPR and massage. I don't think it helped. At 30 minutes I said a little prayer to the doggie gods, and suddenly he perked up and lay more upright, supporting himself. His breathing slowly improved, as did his awareness. He stood gingerly at 50 minutes, walked unsteadily to his nearby bed and lay there for an hour. At 1hr 30min he showed a passing interest in food, slowly taking a treat. At 2 hours he was back up, but a bit shaken. Now I feel guilty for believing my vet of ten years knew all there was to know about Cartrophen. I know now that he should have recognised these symptoms. Today I did what I should have done a year ago, and searched for contradictions. I was shocked to find plenty of a serious kind. That's what I suggest everyone should do before risking catastrophe for their beloved pet. Have a look at the Turmeric User Group on facebook. A lot of people seem to be getting great results with golden paste - a mixture of turmeric, coconut oil and black pepper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirra Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 I couldn't find the Turmeric User Group on FB Can someone link it here please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I couldn't find the Turmeric User Group on FB Can someone link it here please? here is a link that asks the same question...it is then answered so you should be able to find it now http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?645627-Tumeric-users-Facebook-group I saw this as well--> http://pawsandpedals.com.au/turmeric-dogs-why-you-should-feed-your-dog-turmeric/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirra Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 YAY!! Thanks Boronia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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