Comments on: Online Pet Meds: Good Choice or Bad Decision

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:02:05 +0000

I just came home from seeing a vet who strongly cautioned against using 1-800-Pet Meds for flea and tick products because she said the medicines may be counterfeit. I was skeptical since she had something to gain and I have been using them for years with no complaint. So I spent hours researching online for some proof of the allegation. Couldn’t find any facts to support it. I did find lots of posts from folks claiming not only do they sell counterfeit meds, they are also not licensed, not regulated, and regularly repackage expired meds, etc. The part about licensing and regulation is clearly untrue. Regarding counterfeiting and repackaging, I found no evidence, no law suit, no criminal investigation, not even a newspaper report. I think it’s all hearsay and innuendo promoted by veterinarians. No one loves their dogs more than I do and if there was a shred of proof, I would buy from the vet. But there just isn’t.

By: Teresa Meehan

Teresa Meehan — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:41:16 +0000

We have been ordering our Golden’s Metacam from Allivet to save on the cost of the medication. I understand some on-line pet med companies are dangerous, are any reputable? I want to make certain that our dog is getting the best. If not, then I’d rather pay my vet for her meds and know it is the “real deal” and she is safe. Thanks.

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:56:17 +0000

Sorry, I meant to say that my vets office posted a sign saying that “online pet drug discounters ARE selling countfeit medications” Typing error.

Pat

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:54:02 +0000

I have five pets, 3 dogs and two cats. One of the dogs is 15 years-old, another is nine-years-old. I take them all to the most expensive vet in the area because the office treats them well and knows how to deal with animals.

However, as you may have noticed the people complaining about onsafe pet meds are people in vet offices.

The reputable online pet drug discounters, even 1800-pet-meds, require a prescription from your vet before filling ANY medications, even heartworm.

Between medical care, shots, checkups and heartworm/flea for five animals I am almost bankrupt. My vet’s office had started price-matching online companies, then complaining how the price-matching was killing them financially and then posted a sign that said online medications are not counterfeit.

While I would not purchase an actual drug online, I have never purchased a flea or heartworm medication that appeared to be counterfeit in any way.

My vet’s office charges $50 just for walking in the door. I never get charged less than $250 for any pet, for any service. I don’t get a multi-pet discount. I think that vets make enough money on pet services and shouldn’t be making a profit on common medications like flea/heartworm, joint medications, and vitamins. After all, vets make the money even on the heartworm testing which is done every year even if your pet has never missed a day of heartworm preventative in its entire life. So I feel that vet offices should provide these medications at cost with maybe a small fee tacked on, not almost double the online price.

Pat

By: Gina, Loki, Storm, Wolf, Atasi, Squirt, Truffle and Big Girl

Gina, Loki, Storm, Wolf, Atasi, Squirt, Truffle and Big Girl — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:57:38 +0000

There is nothing wrong with purchasing meds online as long as you know what to look for. I refuse to pay my vet $60 for a small bottle of metacam that my wolf is on because of hip dysplasia when I can buy a large 120ml bottle for the same price online. My boy has been on it for months and is doing fine.

I buy my own drugs online as well that are OTC.

Whovever stated that you can buy prescribed drugs online without the website notifying your vet is wrong. Each time I replace my dog’s metacam my vet is called for the refill.

I also use Entirely pets and haven’t had a problem yet.

By: Lexus aka Lexi

Lexus aka Lexi — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:16:01 +0000

As a vet tech I could give my dogs their vaccinations (except rablies) however I still have it done at the vet clinic simply because you have no idea where the vaccinations have been stored up until you received it and once you give it who do you go back at if something happens such as a bad reaction? I feel(just my opinion) that if you can’t afford good medical care for your pet you probably shouldn’t have one.

By: Jody G

Jody G — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:12:08 +0000

Hi,

I have a vet who Rx’s a larger dog dosage of flea/tick medication and tells me how to break it up so that I can treat my 4 dogs and 1 cat using the single larger dosage. This has saved me a very large amount of $$$. I once tried 1-800-PETMEDS and ended up with foreign merchandise. A pet medication rep friend of mine scolded me and then told me of the risks taken when buying from anyone other than your veterinarian. I ALWAYS purchase my pet meds from my vet.

Jody G.