I'm one up on my vet now!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Bnot · 06-30-2007, 02:17 PM

Been looking for a cheaper way to do heart worm meds, and flea meds.

I used the search engine here, and found someone used petsuppliesnet.com

It used to be, to get heart guard, you HAD to have a prescription from your vet. My vet would not do that, period. Must be too much money out of her pocket, lol

petsuppliesnet.com did sell me the heart guard, without a prescription. And at a fraction of the price than what I been paying for different brands at my vet!

And no matter where you buy their hear guard meds at, she STILL puts it in the yearly exam, to check for heart worms.

For Adonis's yearly exam, was already going to cost me $125 bucks. Glad I found a cheaper way to do the heart guard!

This place is the best!

chachi · 06-30-2007, 02:24 PM

I get mine at Petshed at a fraction of the Vets costs. My Vet also has the heartworm test done at the annuals pllus wellness bloodwork which comes to $200 and I have two yorkies. I just dont see why they need all that done every year but at least I know My dogs are healthy

KellyV · 06-30-2007, 04:30 PM

It's unethical and illegal for a pharmacy to dispense any medications without a valid prescription from a doctor. I would question the integrity and quality of any medications obtained from a source that engages in such questionable practices.

I really hope this pharmacy is not dispensing heartworm medications for any pet that does not have a current heartworm test. These pharmacies are risking the lives of our companions by not verifying the pet is under proper veterinary care. Did you know that giving heartworm preventatives to a dog that is positive for heartworm can be fatal? Unfortunately not everybody knows that and with the aid of these internet pharmacies, they may unknowingly be putting their dog's life at risk.

I doubt it's a case of the vet being worried about losing money. I'm sure they're more concerned about your pets health and the quality of the medications they receive...... I've found that some veterinarians are willing to price match. Have you tried bringing in the prices from the internet, including the shipping and handling to see if they would match?

Mardelin · 06-30-2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KellyV

It's unethical and illegal for a pharmacy to dispense any medications without a valid prescription from a doctor. I would question the integrity and quality of any medications obtained from a source that engages in such questionable practices.

I really hope this pharmacy is not dispensing heartworm medications for any pet that does not have a current heartworm test. These pharmacies are risking the lives of our companions by not verifying the pet is under proper veterinary care. Did you know that giving heartworm preventatives to a dog that is positive for heartworm can be fatal? Unfortunately not everybody knows that and with the aid of these internet pharmacies, they may unknowingly be putting their dog's life at risk.

I doubt it's a case of the vet being worried about losing money. I'm sure they're more concerned about your pets health and the quality of the medications they receive...... I've found that some veterinarians are willing to price match. Have you tried bringing in the prices from the internet, including the shipping and handling to see if they would match?

My vet writes my prescriptions, and I usually fill them at Dr's Foster and Smith, Ohaha vet and or others....do alot of shopping around to find the lowest rate.

Did you know that by law your pet is only required to have a heartworm test run every 2 years.

Bnot · 06-30-2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KellyV

It's unethical and illegal for a pharmacy to dispense any medications without a valid prescription from a doctor. I would question the integrity and quality of any medications obtained from a source that engages in such questionable practices.

I really hope this pharmacy is not dispensing heartworm medications for any pet that does not have a current heartworm test. These pharmacies are risking the lives of our companions by not verifying the pet is under proper veterinary care. Did you know that giving heartworm preventatives to a dog that is positive for heartworm can be fatal? Unfortunately not everybody knows that and with the aid of these internet pharmacies, they may unknowingly be putting their dog's life at risk.

I doubt it's a case of the vet being worried about losing money. I'm sure they're more concerned about your pets health and the quality of the medications they receive...... I've found that some veterinarians are willing to price match. Have you tried bringing in the prices from the internet, including the shipping and handling to see if they would match?

I know my dogs are healthy. They get everything they need anytime they need it. My vet seems to be higher than any other vet I see on here. Their reasoning for their meds being higher....they don't sit in a mail box.

My dogs have never missed any doses of their heart meds, and my vet, no matter if you get the meds from them, they do heart test on the pets every year.

MyFairLacy · 06-30-2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KellyV

It's unethical and illegal for a pharmacy to dispense any medications without a valid prescription from a doctor. I would question the integrity and quality of any medications obtained from a source that engages in such questionable practices.

I really hope this pharmacy is not dispensing heartworm medications for any pet that does not have a current heartworm test. These pharmacies are risking the lives of our companions by not verifying the pet is under proper veterinary care. Did you know that giving heartworm preventatives to a dog that is positive for heartworm can be fatal? Unfortunately not everybody knows that and with the aid of these internet pharmacies, they may unknowingly be putting their dog's life at risk.

I doubt it's a case of the vet being worried about losing money. I'm sure they're more concerned about your pets health and the quality of the medications they receive...... I've found that some veterinarians are willing to price match. Have you tried bringing in the prices from the internet, including the shipping and handling to see if they would match?

I agree! In some states, it illegal to ship meds across state lines as well. The reason your vet does a heartworm test every year is because nothing is 100% effective. If your dogs did somehow contract heartworms, continueing the heartguard would kill your dog. Also, heartguard has a guarantee on their product: if you give every month and do a heartworm test they will pay for the cost of treatment if your dog gets heartworms. Your vet requires this test and won't let you buy without a prescription because they care about the health of your pet. so far as prices of each vet and the meds - that varies from vet to vet. If you think your vet is just in it for the money - why do you go there?

Mardelin · 06-30-2007, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I agree! In some states, it illegal to ship meds across state lines as well. The reason your vet does a heartworm test every year is because nothing is 100% effective. If your dogs did somehow contract heartworms, continueing the heartguard would kill your dog. Also, heartguard has a guarantee on their product: if you give every month and do a heartworm test they will pay for the cost of treatment if your dog gets heartworms. Your vet requires this test and won't let you buy without a prescription because they care about the health of your pet. so far as prices of each vet and the meds - that varies from vet to vet. If you think your vet is just in it for the money - why do you go there?

Every heartworm med has a guarantee. I use Intercepter, which is the same as Sentinal...prefer this brand because they are more fine tuned to weight of the dog.

However, I don't think any Pharmacy will fill the heart worm meds without your vet's prescription.

KellyV · 06-30-2007, 04:57 PM

I have no problem with the reputable, well known internet pharmacies that follow all the rules and regulations.... It's the ones that don't follow the rules and send out medications without prescriptions that worry me.

My vet lets me test every two years as well, but only if they're kept on preventative all year round. If I would stop at any point during the year (ie, quite during the winter or miss a pill somewhere), they would require I test before starting the preventative again.... I've heard of numerous people quitting the pills for a few months and then just starting up again without testing first. That's very risky and can be life threatening.

I'm not saying anyone in this particular thread is not properly caring for their dogs.... I'm just trying to keep in mind that not everyone knows proper heartworm protocol.....

Mardelin · 06-30-2007, 05:04 PM

Most breeders stop heartworm meds just before the female comes in Season and don't begin readministering again until pups are 2 weeks of age. The reason is to prevent any birth defects. But, as you said, vet does a check before beginning again. There are other precautionary measures taken during this time. But, that was when I lived in Texas, Hearworm meds are not necessary in California

Bnot · 06-30-2007, 05:42 PM

I keep my 2 on heart meds all year around here. And no matter what type of heart meds they have been on through my vet, they gobble it down and even want more, lol. Both my babies get everything they need plus more each month.

I no longer work, and nothing stays in my mailbox long.

I know some may not agree. But I don't know a single vet who doesn't charge close to 4x's the price of flea topics and heart meds. They are in this for a profit, not just "helping us".

I trust my vet, but my nieces friend has also worked for this woman for 20 years. I know what they pay for these meds when they order them, and believe me, they make a killing off them.

So what I don't buy from the vet? As long as I get it, at a reasonable price, and its from a reputable company.

I didn't start this post to start an argument with anyone. And I refuse to argue about it. Sorry if I offended anyone by starting this post, it certainly wasn't my intention.

MyFairLacy · 06-30-2007, 07:58 PM

I don't think anyone has a problem with you buying them from somewhere other than your vet and saving money. What people have a problem with is that the place you are ordering from doesn't require a negative heartworm test on file and doesn't require a prescription from your vet. By not requiring these, they could be selling heartworm preventative to a lot of people who unknowingly have dogs that are already positive for heartworms, and these dogs could die because of it.

Wylie's Mom · 07-01-2007, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bnot

I know some may not agree. But I don't know a single vet who doesn't charge close to 4x's the price of flea topics and heart meds. They are in this for a profit, not just "helping us".

I know what they pay for these meds when they order them, and believe me, they make a killing off them.

I say all the power to you! These are reputable companies and Heartguard, like Science Diet and over-vaccinating, can be a revenue-booster for vets who over price. As long as you're following heartworm testing protocols, I think it's a good way to save money and show the vet industry that you'll find ways to save money if they continue to over charge.

Bnot · 07-02-2007, 01:47 PM

I'm not one to "skip" any of either dogs lab work. Although your only "required" to have the heart tests done every other year, I will not argue if my vet feels its necessary every year. They know better what my dogs need in this region of the USA than I do. Seems each region is different too. And my dogs stay on heart meds 12 months a year down here.

I had to sign this loooongggg document today, saying that I will pay $10 fee for EACH med she lets someone else prescribe to him. Says they have to update my file on computer, yada yada.
A page of bs, but I requested a copy of this page for MY records too.

So at least since the last time I tried discussing this in their office, they have changed some procedures.

Shots and tests for Adonis was $130 today. Venus goes in Sept.

I was so proud of him, he was so good with all the needles, poking and progging in places he normally poops, lol.

06-30-2007, 02:17 PM	#1
Bnot YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mobile AL Posts: 1,399	I'm one up on my vet now!! Been looking for a cheaper way to do heart worm meds, and flea meds. I used the search engine here, and found someone used petsuppliesnet.com It used to be, to get heart guard, you HAD to have a prescription from your vet. My vet would not do that, period. Must be too much money out of her pocket, lol petsuppliesnet.com did sell me the heart guard, without a prescription. And at a fraction of the price than what I been paying for different brands at my vet! And no matter where you buy their hear guard meds at, she STILL puts it in the yearly exam, to check for heart worms. For Adonis's yearly exam, was already going to cost me $125 bucks. Glad I found a cheaper way to do the heart guard! This place is the best!

06-30-2007, 02:24 PM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I get mine at Petshed at a fraction of the Vets costs. My Vet also has the heartworm test done at the annuals pllus wellness bloodwork which comes to $200 and I have two yorkies. I just dont see why they need all that done every year but at least I know My dogs are healthy __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

06-30-2007, 05:04 PM	#9
Mardelin Mardelin Yorkshire Terriers Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: California Posts: 14,776	Most breeders stop heartworm meds just before the female comes in Season and don't begin readministering again until pups are 2 weeks of age. The reason is to prevent any birth defects. But, as you said, vet does a check before beginning again. There are other precautionary measures taken during this time. But, that was when I lived in Texas, Hearworm meds are not necessary in California __________________ Mardelin *Yorkshire* *Terriers*

06-30-2007, 07:58 PM	#11
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	I don't think anyone has a problem with you buying them from somewhere other than your vet and saving money. What people have a problem with is that the place you are ordering from doesn't require a negative heartworm test on file and doesn't require a prescription from your vet. By not requiring these, they could be selling heartworm preventative to a lot of people who unknowingly have dogs that are already positive for heartworms, and these dogs could die because of it. __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.

06-30-2007, 04:30 PM	#3
KellyV YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 776	It's unethical and illegal for a pharmacy to dispense any medications without a valid prescription from a doctor. I would question the integrity and quality of any medications obtained from a source that engages in such questionable practices. I really hope this pharmacy is not dispensing heartworm medications for any pet that does not have a current heartworm test. These pharmacies are risking the lives of our companions by not verifying the pet is under proper veterinary care. Did you know that giving heartworm preventatives to a dog that is positive for heartworm can be fatal? Unfortunately not everybody knows that and with the aid of these internet pharmacies, they may unknowingly be putting their dog's life at risk. I doubt it's a case of the vet being worried about losing money. I'm sure they're more concerned about your pets health and the quality of the medications they receive...... I've found that some veterinarians are willing to price match. Have you tried bringing in the prices from the internet, including the shipping and handling to see if they would match?

06-30-2007, 04:57 PM	#8
KellyV YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 776	I have no problem with the reputable, well known internet pharmacies that follow all the rules and regulations.... It's the ones that don't follow the rules and send out medications without prescriptions that worry me. My vet lets me test every two years as well, but only if they're kept on preventative all year round. If I would stop at any point during the year (ie, quite during the winter or miss a pill somewhere), they would require I test before starting the preventative again.... I've heard of numerous people quitting the pills for a few months and then just starting up again without testing first. That's very risky and can be life threatening. I'm not saying anyone in this particular thread is not properly caring for their dogs.... I'm just trying to keep in mind that not everyone knows proper heartworm protocol.....

06-30-2007, 05:42 PM	#10
Bnot YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mobile AL Posts: 1,399	I keep my 2 on heart meds all year around here. And no matter what type of heart meds they have been on through my vet, they gobble it down and even want more, lol. Both my babies get everything they need plus more each month. I no longer work, and nothing stays in my mailbox long. I know some may not agree. But I don't know a single vet who doesn't charge close to 4x's the price of flea topics and heart meds. They are in this for a profit, not just "helping us". I trust my vet, but my nieces friend has also worked for this woman for 20 years. I know what they pay for these meds when they order them, and believe me, they make a killing off them. So what I don't buy from the vet? As long as I get it, at a reasonable price, and its from a reputable company. I didn't start this post to start an argument with anyone. And I refuse to argue about it. Sorry if I offended anyone by starting this post, it certainly wasn't my intention.

07-02-2007, 01:47 PM	#13
Bnot YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mobile AL Posts: 1,399	I'm not one to "skip" any of either dogs lab work. Although your only "required" to have the heart tests done every other year, I will not argue if my vet feels its necessary every year. They know better what my dogs need in this region of the USA than I do. Seems each region is different too. And my dogs stay on heart meds 12 months a year down here. I had to sign this loooongggg document today, saying that I will pay $10 fee for EACH med she lets someone else prescribe to him. Says they have to update my file on computer, yada yada. A page of bs, but I requested a copy of this page for MY records too. So at least since the last time I tried discussing this in their office, they have changed some procedures. Shots and tests for Adonis was $130 today. Venus goes in Sept. I was so proud of him, he was so good with all the needles, poking and progging in places he normally poops, lol.