Hello,

Our 10 year old labrador has been receiving in the UK Cartrophen injections for his osteoarthritus. We've been in Ch for 3 months and the the vet has just explained that this drug is not licensed here in CH and cannot offer the treatment. Our poor lab is in loads of pain now and pain killers only mask the problem. Cartrophen helps slow down degeneration of his bones.

I spoke to our vet in the UK and he is not allowed to sell me the drug to bring in to CH as it's not legal. The CH vet said that EU countires are licensed to administer it and suggested going to Germany, as we cannot easily take our dog back to the UK. But he didn't say where or which vet

Does anyone know of any vets close to the Swiss border for us to make the trip? The injection has to be administered once a month.

Really worried we cannot resolve this, as his quality of life will severely be impaired

If that particular drug is not licensed here, there must be an alternative?

Taking her to Germany might be the best bet, if its not too far for you. Although, you still wouldn't be able to bring any into the country.

I'm surprised your Swiss Vet didn't offer any alternatives that would do the same thing. Not being licensed here is one thing that is easy enough to fix if the manufacturer is willing to do so. Being prohibited is another.

What does "licensed" mean exactly? Does it mean not licensed for sale? distribution? or use?

If it is not licensed for sale in CH, then there's nothing that says you can't go to Germany and buy a one year supply and import it yourself so long as you aren't reselling it. But I'm not Customs and they may not like my idea.

You could also appeal to the manufacturer and ask that they get their product licensed in Switzerland. That's not going to help you in the short term though.

So in the meanwhile, you can make your monthly trip to Germany to get dog food, injections and groceries. Take someone with you though so you don't have to leave the dog unattended. Big hugs to your Labrador!

There are several drugs available elsewhere that are not, or are no longer, licensed in Switzerland - it's very frustrating, I know.

The pain response is very individual - one drug may work well with the majority of dogs, but do nothing for an individual. Unfortunately, there aren't always exact subsitutes, and many dog owners have to go through trial and error to find which drugs work well for their dogs, which drugs their dogs can tolerate - and which they need to avoid.

I'll ask my German friends for recommendations - but in the meantime, here is a searchable list of German veterinarians, simply put in the PLZ or town:

http://www.tierarzt-onlinesuche.de/

Hope you find an easy solution - and hoping your doglet's pain can be managed for as long as possible.

Licensed to sell. The vet was happy to administer if I got some. The plan was to purchase a years supply from the UK and bring it in but the UK vet said its not possible without a written prescription. The Swiss vet is not allowed to request it as its unlicensed so this is the dilema.

The UK vet said there are special one off license agreements but not sure if the Swiss vet will want to go through the paperwork plus its the fee we will end up paying.

I think Germany is our only option. There isnt an alternative to Cartrophen that does the same. Only pain killers. Pain killers will only mask the pain not reduce the inevitable, like Cartrophen.

ask for Canosan, it's a food additive. It's good in my experience.

Why not get in touch with the manufacturers and ask for advice.

Company name: Arthropharm (Europe) Limited
Address: 42 Upper Ramone Park
Portadown
Co Armagh
BT63 5TD
Northern Ireland
Telephone: +353 1 841 5533
Fax: +353 1 841 6353

Good luck.

Thank you everyone, will let you know how it goes!

Do you have a note of the exact chemicals in Cartrophen?

You could ask the Swiss government for a similar Swiss approved drug,

http://www.bvet.admin.ch/themen/vete...x.html?lang=de

Fachkontakt: info@bvet.admin.ch

Cartrophen is available in Switzerland under the name Rimadyl. My dog was prescribed this medication by her vet for the last few years of her life - she was just 6 weeks short of her 17th birthday when she was put to sleep. Rimadyl helped her tremendously - perhaps your lab would benefit too from this medication? Maybe you could seek your vet's advice? Good luck!

Rimadyl is carprofen, not cartrophen.

Two arthritis drugs, similar names - but very different.


(You'd have thought the marketing folks would have thought that through... )

This is what happened to us!!! The CH vet gave us this and I spoke to my UK vet and he said its an anti inflamatory and pain relief and NOT the same. Cartrophen is supposed to prevent the extra bone growth in his joints causing the arthritus and pain. The cartrophen is now out of our labs system and we noticed a rapid decline without it.

Having had too much experience with diseases that affect mobility, I would urge you to do whatever it takes to find the meds that work best for your dog.

I don't know why there are restrictions on drugs here that are commonly available elsewhere - but I've run into this issue several times in my years here.

Quality of life is everything. Which means keeping our four footed friends pain free as long as possible. If cartrophen has proven to work best for your dog, don't hesitate to go across the border.


What DE towns are easiest for you to get to? Konstanz? Waldshut? Or out Basel way? It might help to find you a vet recommendation...

Anywhere really...crazy as it sounds happy to drive Basel and beyond for the meds. We have a large car, comfy for his journey and happy to drive. Just need to find a vet, who can perhaps speak a little English. Despite my partner being Swiss it unlikely he can get time off work so I will go and my German is at A1/A2 level.

In that case, use the online search link above, put in any towns that you can get to easily, and see which vets come up. Then look up the Praxis website - almost all will list an abbreviated CV showing where the vet studied. If the vet has studied in the US or UK - and many have - it's a good bet he/she speaks English.

You might also want to ask a mod to change the thread title to emphasize that you are searching for a vet in DE. Then the Basel contingent might chime in...

If I could press thank you several times I would. Thank yoi

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that we have found a vet in Germany willing to help us with our problem. She understood straight away and was happy to help. We haven't been yet but we are booked in on Thursday for his jab. Hopefully in a few weeks he will be back to his pain free self.

The vet is just past Bad Zurzach so an hour or so drive. I am going to pair it with a visit to the local pet shop for our dog food etc

I am not certain if this is a myth, but does spraying some WD40 on the joints help? Also heard nutmeg oil can help.

Before trying 'folk remedies' with one's pet, it is recommended to first consult a veterinarian as to safety and efficacy.

This is especially important when one's pet is ill or elderly.

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As to WD-40, this makes interesting reading:
http://arthritis.about.com/od/altern...nts/f/wd40.htm

Furthermore, from the WD-40 website:
http://www.wd40.com/files/pdf/msds-wd494716385.pdf

"Ingestion: This product has low oral toxicity. Swallowing may cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This product is an aspiration hazard. If swallowed, can enter the lungs and may cause chemical pneumonitis, severe lung damage and death."

As dogs tend to lick anything applied to their skin, use in this manner perhaps might not be advisable.


The jury seems to be out on whether or not Nutmeg oil is potentially dangerous for dogs. While generally considered safe in small quantities,
hallucinogenic effects been reported in larger doses. I have been unable to find dosage stats, though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poisonous_plants
http://www.doctordog.com/dogbook/dogpoison.html

Again, it would be best to speak to a vet before use.

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Glad to hear that you have found a helpful vet in Germany, Darkhorsedrea. Hope your doglet continues to do well.

Sardines!!!!!

They love them, the only cheap fish in CH and plenty of oil.

Good for coats too but bad for the smell