Buying pet meds via internet

[smokey the elder]

Being in the veterinary field, I am not for buying medications online. No, not because I am not getting paid, but because every time you are prescribed a medication, your pet should have an exam and blood work done. Some medications animals are on need to have the levels checked, to check and see if the medication is indeed doing what it's supposed to be doing. People can purchase medications online thinking they know what their pet needs, when indeed they don't.

Like you guys have said, you have a prescription from your veterinarian faxed/mailed to the online pharmacy, to then be filled and shipped to you. That is different. It's the people who just think they need this, and buy it. I personally think that online pet pharmacy's should require blood work from the veterinarian prescribing, but that's just me.

What if one's pet has a chronic condition (diabetes, cardiomyopathy, hyperthyroidism, etc.)? For instance, diabetic syringes are MUCH cheaper at a human pharmacy or even WalMart, than through the vet; as are the ACE inhibitors and beta blockers used in cardiomyopathy. I realize that the animal must be seen frequently by the vet, but rather than dispensing the meds at the office, my vet would write a scrip so that I could have it filled for less money.

[kokopup]

I buy all my pet meds from Australia including Heartgard. There is no perscription required on any of the meds I buy. I save a lot when i take advantage of their bundled offers that include the flea med and Heartgard. The thing that surprised me the most is their quick shipment time. I have always received my order on the third day after I order. I have never ordered from a US company that has delivery as quickly as this company. Google "equine-mega-store" for their web page.

[pomtzu]

If it's only a few dollars that I would be saving, then I just buy from the vet. It's the big buck items that make buying on line wiorthwhile.

For example - the Advantix that I buy for the dogs is $80 for 6 doses from my vet, so that's only enough for 3 months for both pups. I pay $96 for 12 doses from the Australia supplier and will last for 6 months. Now that's a HUGE savings, and my last order had a special of free shipping too.

The Heartguard is $21.50 from my vet for 6 doses, and when I buy 2 boxes I always get a $5 mail-in rebate slip. On line prices for this product are the same and more, with no rebate, plus I would have to pay shipping, so buying this thru the vet is cheaper. Myndi's thyroid med thru the vet is only $10 for 100 pills and she only take one per day, so that wouldn't be worth the bother of trying to find them cheaper.

[krazyaboutkatz]

If it's only a few dollars that I would be saving, then I just buy from the vet. It's the big buck items that make buying on line wiorthwhile.

For example - the Advantix that I buy for the dogs is $80 for 6 doses from my vet, so that's only enough for 3 months for both pups. I pay $96 for 12 doses from the Australia supplier and will last for 6 months. Now that's a HUGE savings, and my last order had a special of free shipping too.

You'd be able to save even more money if you buy the largest dog Advantix and then you measure it out for each dog. You just need to know how much they weigh and what dose to give them. Then you tape off the amount on a syringe and you also need a container with a lid to keep the unused portion in until the next time you need it. I use an empty plastic testube that I got from my vet. I've saved so much money by measuring mine out over the years.

[pomtzu]

You'd be able to save even more money if you buy the largest dog Advantix and then you measure it out for each dog. You just need to know how much they weigh and what dose to give them. Then you tape off the amount on a syringe and you also need a container with a lid to keep the unused portion in until the next time you need it. I use an empty plastic testube that I got from my vet. I've saved so much money by measuring mine out over the years.

I'd thought about that, but I just don't have a warm and fuzzy feeling about doing it that way. With my luck, something would get screwed up. I know it's not rocket science, but I feel safer just buying the correct dosage.

Thanks for the suggestion tho.........