Vet’s Office Says Shopping Online Endangers My Pet, Won’t Approve Prescription

[douglas9]

Pets are excellent companions. The Consumerist K-9 Unit is snuggled up against me right now as I type this. But keeping your kritters healthy and parasite-free can get expensive. Sean just adopted a new puppy (awww) and shopped around for a heartworm and flea preventative medication. That's common enough, and a number of sites offer the products. What was unusual was that the vet's office refused to fill the prescription, saying that they were happy to price match the online price (that's good) and that he was taking his pup's life in his hands by purchasing medications online, since they could be expired or counterfeit or poisonous or who knows what?


http://consumerist.com/2012/08/vets-office-says-shopping-online-endangers-my-pet-wont-approve-prescription.html

[woodsprite]

1. VCA was saying the same thing, but our VCA vet wouldn't price match.

When our favorite vet left VCA for a private farm-based practice where he could prescribe treament/meds using his own protocol and what he learned in veterinary school, we followed him to his new practice. They are still of the same mind that you don't know what you get when you buy online, but they didn't outright refuse. They do have vendor names available if you want to purchase in quantity AND they'll price match. We go through over 300 pills a month for our GSD, so the price matching helps and quantity buying helps.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. If the vet matches price, what could be the problem? Professionals...

checking the meds for date and source and you don't have to wait for shipping. And don't forget storage conditions-- boxes left out in the hot sun at the warehouse...

Most people I know would even pay a little more to get the guaranteed meds right there at the vet visit.

[Chemisse]

3. I am really grateful to be able to get on-line meds for my girl

She can no longer be transported to the vet. Typical of elderly Mastiffs, she has problems with her leg joints and has trouble just walking. We've built a ramp so she can get down to the yard and back. But there is no way she can get in a car and she is far too heavy to be lifted.

My vet won't give me medications for her without a vet visit, which is just not feasible. (She doesn't do house calls). Luckily I was able to order rabies vaccine on line so I could give Inca a booster (needed to renew her town dog license). Also fortunately I was able to order antibiotics for her when she had an apparent bladder infection. (She is feeling so much better!)

I'm pretty sure breeders buy the vaccinations in bulk for their pups. There must be a way to assure the quality is acceptable.

[livvy]

5. Oooooo!!! She's so beautiful!

I love Mastiffs. They are such a wonderful breed!

[Chemisse]

7. Oh thanks! I love Mastiffs. If only they lived longer.

(And were a bit less stubborn - lol).

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Our vet actually sells the meds for *less* than the online sites.

[Warpy]

6. That doesn't matter for my cat, the doses of most drugs are tiny

and made strictly for veterinary use. A decent, high volume online service like Petmeds.com will have enough turnover that getting expired drugs won't be an issue.

The proof for my cat came last Friday, when her blood work showed she's rock stable on teeny blood pressure and potassium pills, good for a renal failure kitty. The difference in cost is absolutely staggering.

If my vet refused to approve her prescription, I'd be looking for another vet.

However, I can see some things being used as substitutes for bringing an animal in for a yearly checkup. That's not a good idea.