Ann: Quarterly Update and Appendix 4C - quarterly, page-42

The below post found on the Albany Creek Vet Facebook page (2017)...

Cartrophen and Synovan injections for arthritis - pentosan polysulphate sodium (PPS).

Did you see the Channel 9 news item and recent media spotlight on a new drug for arthritis called pentosan polysulphate sodium (PPS)?

A lady on the clinical trial was interviewed and spoke of her new-found comfort and that she was able to cancel a knee replacement.

At Albany Creek Vets we have been using medicines called Cartrophen and Synovan for nearly 20 years, which is the same drug now undergoing possible human use and registration for arthritis.It is a product that helps to regenerate the cartilage in the joints by a simple injection in the scruff of your dog (and sometimes cats – although the product is not registered in cats!).

Cartilage produces the joint fluid in your joints - good healthy cartilage produces good “Castrol” quality lubrication for your joints. Damaged and degenerating cartilage produces a less good lubrication - less viscosity, in the case of osteoarthritis.

For 20 years we have seen many amazing benefits personally from the use of PPS as a regular injection in pets. Many owners reading this will have had their own animals treated and still do.Because it is difficult in some of these cases to statistically prove the effectiveness of this group of medicines, we have accepted the clinical and owner reported responses.

The drug has other current uses in humans, for example bladder conditions, and was considered by human doctors but has been left on the shelf for the last 20 years while it was adopted for dogs and some cats.Just now, 20 years on; a successful clinical trial with humans reporting significant improvement in function and joint health and in some cases saving knee and joint replacements the drug that is in our Cartrophen injections is undergoing possible registration for human arthritis in the next 2 to 3 years! Watch this space.

For now, whenever your dog (and some cats) need some help for uncomfortable joints they can enjoy the benefits before the humans in this case.Cartrophen is a course of 4 injections a week apart, we will then use various intervals 1 to 3 months depending on severity of the arthritis. Synovan is a new product – same drug; but has added glucosamine.