If anyone has used cartrophen vet. How long did it take to see a improvement.if at all,and was there any side effects.

cartrophen is Rimadyl.
Here is the manufacturers site http://www.rimadyl.com/display.asp?country=US&lang=EN&drug=RC&species=CN&sec=000
And some more reading
http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/index/updates/rimadyl2.html

Just looked on that site, is Rimadly Carprofen. The same as Cartrophen vet?.

Yep.  If you do a search on the top left of this page, you'll see that's it been discussed before. :(

Known it used loads of times successfully, usually given in 4, week apart injections for arthritis or anti-inflammatory/pain relief treatments.
Dawn.

When I put in search just get clear screen. but looked on website
http://www.arthritis.au.com/pain/pain_mast.htm and it seems they are saying they are 2  different drugs. but I will keep trying to find the post on this.

Thanks Dawn ,Pleased it helped your dogs. Mine had her third jab today so she will be very quiet  tomorrow.she still has a slight limp but fingers crossed it will improve.

When my Dandie was about 14 her long term arthritis become so painfull that she stopped eating so we took a course of Cartrophen.   My vet assured me it was not Rimadyl but was a precurser more commonly used before the introduction of Rimadyl, you may want to check this with your vet but in fact it would not have made any difference to us as without treatment Nellie would have had to have been put down anyway.  We had a course of 4 weekly injections for about 24 hours after each injection she had bouts of diarrhoea but she did have a history of colitis however very early in the treatment she was mobilising much better and started eating again.  The effects lasted several months and infact her arthritis was never as severe right up to her death about 9 months later.

This is taken from the manufacturers site
http://www.pfizerah.com/index.asp?species=OO&country=US&lang=EN&drug=PU
"Managing Pain with RIMADYL® (carprofen)" 

As you can see Rimadyl is Pfizer's brand name for Carprofen.  It goes on to say -

"It's important that you have the complete information about any medication that you give your dog. You'll find that comprehensive Dog Owner Information, U.S. Prescribing Information, and Contact Information are just a click away. "
"What to tell/ask your veterinarian before giving Rimadyl.
Talk to your veterinarian about:

What tests might be done before Rimadyl is prescribed?

How often your dog may need to be examined by your veterinarian.

The risks and benefits of using Rimadyl.
If your dog is prescribed Rimadyl for osteoarthritis, ask your vet about:

The signs of OA you have observed (for example limping, stiffness).
The importance of weight control and exercise in the management of OA.
Tell your veterinarian if your dog has ever had the following medical problems:

Experienced side effects from Rimadyl or other NSAIDs, such as aspirin
Digestive upset (vomiting and/or diarrhea)
Liver disease
Kidney disease
A bleeding disorder (for example, Von Willebrand's disease)
Tell your veterinarian about:

Any other medical problems or allergies that your dog has now or has had.
All medicines that you are giving your dog or plan to give your dog, including those you can get without a prescription.
If your dog is pregnant, nursing or if you plan to breed your dog.
What are the possible side effects that may occur in my dog during Rimadyl therapy?
Rimadyl, like other drugs, may cause some side effects. Serious but rare side effects have been reported in dogs taking NSAIDs, including Rimadyl. Serious side effects can occur with or without warning, and in rare situations result in death.

The most common NSAID-related side effects generally involve the stomach (such as bleeding ulcers), and liver or kidney problems. Look for the following side effects that can indicate your dog may be having a problem with Rimadyl or may have another medical problem:

Decrease or increase in appetite
Vomiting
Change in bowel movements (such as diarrhea, or black, tarry or bloody stools)
Change in behavior (such as decreased or increased activity level, incoordination, seizure or aggression)
Yellowing of gums, skin, or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Change in drinking habits (frequency, amount consumed)
Change in urination habits (frequency, color, or smell)
Change in skin (redness, scabs, or scratching)
It is important to stop therapy and contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your dog has a medical problem or side effect from Rimadyl therapy. If you have additional questions about possible side effects, talk to your veterinarian. "

As Dawn quite rightly says, it's used successfully for many dogs.  You asked if there were any side effects.  The manufacturer clearly states that the owners should be made aware of the possible side effects before the drug is given!  If you don't know, then you can't tell your Vet the right information so that he can assess if there are contra indications.

But that is Carprofen not Cartrophen.  My vet did discuss the the possible side effects with me particularly in view of Nellies colitis history, but all drugs have possible side effects and that always has to be weighed against the possible benefits, for Nellie the balance swung well across to trying it as I suspect it would for any dog with severe arthritis.

I agree but it's important that the owner is aware!  Most are not.
You're right.  It's late and I read it wrong and it's too late to edit it!  Plus I've lost a bitch to Rimadyl. :(
Here's an assessment of Cartrophen Vet by Trevor Turner http://www.full-house.demon.co.uk/cart.htm
Hope that's more use! Night, night.

But quoting the side effects of the wrong drug isn't going to be much use :)

One of our sibes has had a couple of courses of cartrophen over the last few years and we saw an improvement almost straight away. The only thing I noticed was that he was slightly loose a day or so after the injections. We also have him on a fairly high dose of synoquin and he doesn't appear to have any discomfort at the moment and we are still able to work him in harness as long as we don't over do it. Our vet will give him a single cartrophen injection at regular intervals if we think he needs it.

Carprofen and Cartrophen are two different things entirely. My sisters dog was on Cartrophen over a couple of years (4 weekly injections) and then a break until needed again, and did quite well on it
Kat