As I mentioned in my last post, I love my dog. I take him for regular veterinary checkups, just as I take my children for their annual physicals, eye exams and dental appointments. He receives monthly treatment for flea and tick prevention as well as pills to prevent heartworm. My puppy (yes, he is an adult but I still call him “puppy”) has skin sensitivities, which seem only to bother him in the summer. We give him food supplements and medicated baths using prescription products from our vet, however his sensitivities have lead to hives and hotspots on occasion requiring more medication and treatment. All of this is EXPENSIVE!
I, like most budget conscious people (with the price of gas averaging $4.00 per gallon, who these days can afford not to pay close attention to their budget?) have researched my pet’s medications to see if I could find them at a lower price than what I pay at my vet’s office. In doing some research, I found some websites online that offered medications with no prescription required. Some asked for a health history with a questionnaire, or offered to review and “diagnose” a health problem in order to determine the best medication for my pet. Honestly, this made me suspicious. How could a vet accurately diagnose my pet’s problem or needs without seeing him? How was I supposed to be assured that it was actually a vet reviewing the answers to the questionnaire?
I decided to dig a little deeper into the subject.
I found that the FDA has posted a PDF with warnings about buying pet meds online. This article helps you determine what you should look for when purchasing these medications online or from a source outside your vet’s office.
I’m all for saving money where I can, but I am not willing to risk my pet’s health in order to do so. If you are considering ordering pet medications online, please read this fact sheet so that you can make an informed decision.
Tags: FDA, medications, pets, vet
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