Buying pet meds via internet

[happylabs]

I have never bought the meds online. Do you have to get a prescription from the vet first before you can order?

[lvpets2002]

Thats my question too??

I have never bought the meds online. Do you have to get a prescription from the vet first before you can order?

[pomtzu]

You only need a prescription for meds that would normally require it. The flea meds I use doesn't require one, but if I was to get the Heartguard on line, I would need a prescription. The web site will indicate if a script is needed or not.
If your vet is cool, they can fax it, otherwise, just get a copy and fax it or mail it yourself.

The site I buy from is: vetshoponline.com

[sirrahbed]

I bought Advantage100 and Advantix from PetMeds to use on my granddogs and cats this summer and the price was very reasonable and the packaging from Bayer and very fresh. I would buy again but thank you for the heads up on some of the products!

[pomtzu]

I bought Advantage100 and Advantix from PetMeds to use on my granddogs and cats this summer and the price was very reasonable and the packaging from Bayer and very fresh. I would buy again but thank you for the heads up on some of the products!

Next time you need to buy, check out the one I use for better pricing. I found PetMeds to be quite expensive as compared to others. Like anything else - comparison shop.

[lvpets2002]

Well thanks you all.. This is some good info.. I have been considering buying from online stores, but just have never done it..

[Freedom]

I do buy meds online, even prescription pet stuff.

My vet won't fax to them due to the high fraud rates. The practice is happy to give me the script, and I scan it and attach it to an email, after I place my order. I put the order number in the email. Works fine, and LOTS less money.

Ellie is SO right, you do have to verify that it is the same medicine. I also get my flea meds from Australia, but I've been advised by my vet that it is a different product as the bugs they have to address are different. Hmm, I've not had any trouble though.

[sirrahbed]

Next time you need to buy, check out the one I use for better pricing. I found PetMeds to be quite expensive as compared to others. Like anything else - comparison shop.

Oh yes you are right!! I bought the 6 pack of Advantage100 and pay $67 at PetMeds - it is $49 at your site!! Does this ship from the US do you know? PetMeds orders arrive within only a few days while another company I used to order from shipped from Australia. Thanks!!

PS yes I see that is is shipped from out of the US but it does not say where so I am guessing it is Australia like I had used before - not a problem to me just sometimes may need things *quickly* as I did recently for granddogs (flea prevention) coming to visit - in which case PetMeds was perfect!!

[pomtzu]

Oh yes you are right!! I bought the 6 pack of Advantage100 and pay $67 at PetMeds - it is $49 at your site!! Does this ship from the US do you know? PetMeds orders arrive within only a few days while another company I used to order from shipped from Australia. Thanks!!

PS yes I see that is is shipped from out of the US but it does not say where so I am guessing it is Australia like I had used before - not a problem to me just sometimes may need things *quickly* as I did recently for granddogs (flea prevention) coming to visit - in which case PetMeds was perfect!!

It does ship from Australia and it's about 10 days or maybe a little less. If you have the time and can wait, the savings are worth it. When I ordered the Advantix last Springs for the pups, I also got free shipping with the special they were offering. Normally it's $4.95, but that's the max you ever have to pay, no matter how large your order.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I just checked vetshoponline against entirelypets.com and they much less expensive. I've now added this to my favorites. Thanks for the info pomtzu.

[redbird]

Thats my question too??

Last year I tried getting a script for Advantage but my vet wouldn't give it to me since she had never seen Autumn yet. I'm having a major problem getting Autumn to the vet, had to cancel 3 appointments because she runs away and I just can't get her into the carrier, I have another appt. in two weeks. Anyway since I couldn't get the Advantage from my vet, I ordered it from 1800PetMeds and it's exactly the same. The shipping was free also.

[Logan]

I am not an expert on this subject because I buy dog products for my dogs and cat products for my cats and I only buy them from my veterinarians because neither of them will provide written prescriptions for mail order purposes. They both are so reasonable on our vet charges, I don't mind them getting the up charge on the heartworm and flea meds. But, if I'm not mistaken, there is a major ingredient difference in the topical flea meds given to dogs versus cats and the dog meds include something that could be toxic to cats. I'm sorry I don't remember the specifics, but I would not risk using a dog flea treatment on my cats. I'll try to get the specifics and post again.

[pomtzu]

But, if I'm not mistaken, there is a major ingredient difference in the topical flea meds given to dogs versus cats and the dog meds include something that could be toxic to cats. I'm sorry I don't remember the specifics, but I would not risk using a dog flea treatment on my cats.

Yes - I've read that too, but since I don't have any cats, it was something that was never an issue for me. There are warnings not to use on cats since there is an ingredient that cats cannot metabolize, tho I don't know what it is. I didn't mention it earlier in this thread, since there are folks that use the dog med on their cats, and with no adverse reactions.

[sirrahbed]

Advantix cannot be used on cats but the ingredient in Advantage is the same. I even called Bayer to make sure. It is called Imidacloprid 9.1% I buy the 4ml Large dog tubes and so I can easily dose all of my cats with only one tube. But Advantix has something that cannot be used on cats. It would be easy to confuse the two Advantage and Advantix.

I found this site: http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/advantage.html and it explains exactly the process I use. Some people will not approve but to me it is just good sense. I have spoken with several folks who also have the information shared with them by their vets. Some rescue folks and shelter folks also use it. Yes I suppose the ease of buying the individual tubes is more convenient but with multi-cat homes, this is a real cost saver. I use an insulin syringe that make it very easy to get the exact dose. It is a good option for me. Look, a tube of Advantage is about $10-$12 each for either a 1 pound kitten or a 55 pound dog. I can pay $60 to treat each cat individually with five small tubes or spend $12 for a large size and dose everyone.

[Cataholic]

Advantix cannot be used on cats but the ingredient in Advantage is the same. I even called Bayer to make sure. It is called Imidacloprid 9.1% I buy the 4ml Large dog tubes and so I can easily dose all of my cats with only one tube. But Advantix has something that cannot be used on cats. It would be easy to confuse the two Advantage and Advantix.

I found this site: http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/advantage.html and it explains exactly the process I use. Some people will not approve but to me it is just good sense. I have spoken with several folks who also have the information shared with them by their vets. Some rescue folks and shelter folks also use it. Yes I suppose the ease of buying the individual tubes is more convenient but with multi-cat homes, this is a real cost saver. I use an insulin syringe that make it very easy to get the exact dose. It is a good option for me. Look, a tube of Advantage is about $10-$12 each for either a 1 pound kitten or a 55 pound dog. I can pay $60 to treat each cat individually with five small tubes or spend $12 for a large size and dose everyone.

There are several rescues that I work with and I was told the exact same thing. Everyone can spend their money as they see fit. I choose to spend less. It allows me more freedom to save for those things where there isn't a cost savings available.

The "drug" market in the US is so bizarre. You can pay top dollar for an RX drug, OR, do what the pharmacists tells you to do- just take twice as much as the OTC, and save your money. There isn't any difference. Same with other meds, sometimes, and with pet meds, too.