Has Anyone Used Online Pet Medication Companies?

My vet who has always been very upforth and honest told me that some of the stuff bought on websites and these catalogs sites cannot be fully trusted. THey said that they have had many people buy from them and their dogs/cats are getting sick and dying. They said they have no idea how they are getting the product b/c it is supposed to only be distributed to veternarians only! They said they think it might be coming from out of the country so even though it has the same brand/box etc.. the ingredients and whats inside is not exact. I actually was just reading on craigslist in the Chicago section a few days ago someone on there writing a tearful warning that they bought from there some flea meds for their cat and shortly after the cat died... Its a risky chance to take

L.,
I just recently ordered 3 month supply of Frontline plus for my cat, I got my order in 3 days, I got it at
www.PetCareRx.com. I only paid 36.99 for 3months, it is a great deal I think. K.

We used Foster and Smith all the time. We love it. I usually don't buy things at Petsmart or other place if I can help it. I would rather spend the shipping and all to get it from Foster and Smith. They are also very helpful if you have a question or anything about their products. Hope this helps

L.,

Have you compared the prices yet? I was surprised to find out that my vet was the same price as the advertised online meds. For prescription meds, you still have to go to the vet to get the prescription, so are you saving any money? Amazon.com was a lot cheaper for non prescription stuff like Frontline Plus.

First, ask your vet if they match prices. I had one vet that said they were worried about online companies selling expired scripts, so they were willing to match internet prices if you printed off the price and brought it to them. But, I have heard that they cracked down on internet animal med sites and it's pretty safe to get them. I have before and never had a problem.

My sister has used several online pet stores for her flea and tick meds for her animals. She's never had any problems. Most companies have free shipping if you order over a certain amount.

I have only used 1800OetMeds, however, I did some online research before ordering and I found that petrx.com had the stuff cheaper, so 1800PetMeds matched their price. Good luck!! Poor little man...

I am sorry your dog is having health issues, I know how hard it can be, we lost our Doberman boy a few years ago.I have ordered from Drs. Foster and Smith and Frontline was WAY cheaper through them. I had no problems with the meds at all. I beleive they have meds intended for senior dogs. I know it's difficult to see our furiends aging, I have 3 shih-tzus one is just a year one is 9 and one is 10 and the 9 year old has changed a lot the last few months, getting slower and her hearing is not so great. It breaks my heart knowing they won't be here one day. We have had to have LARGE bladder stones removed from the 9 year old also and she has been on a diet forever and never loses anything and her portions keep getting smaller. The poor girl! She is on a special food to keep the stones from coming back and she has terrible teeth that we have had cleaned several times through her life. For some reason she gets bacteria in her ears several times a year from water getting in her ears at the groomer. They say they plug them but who really knows. And this is just one of the dogs, we have the 10 year old to go yet but so far she is still really healthy and active. So I certainly understand how expensive they can be.

Hi L.,
I have used EntirelyPets.com for years now. They have the cheapest prices I can find and I have had absolutely no issues with them.
I know how you feel. My boxer is 6 and has had cancer 3 times. Earlier this year, we cut out 8 tumors. A few months ago, we had another cancerous tumor removed. I agree...it's gets very expensive but I'm with you.......he's our other baby. We have to take care of him until it gets too expensive. Surgery to cut out cancer I can do...chemo etc on an animal I just wouldn't be able to afford, nor would I want to put my dog thru that. So for now, we'll cut out what we can and just pray he doesn't go and attack any of the vital orders.
Good luck!

I've heard through my dog training club that dr foster's and smith are good. There's also a J&P (?) catalog out there that is excellent

What medication is he on? Sometimes you can get medications cheaper from a human pharmacy. I have personally never used any of the online companies but it wouldn't hurt to try. Keep a close eye on him when you do start giving him the different medication to make sure he does not begin having any trouble. Like the other poster said you could also ask your veterinarian about price matching, I know we will sometimes try to match prices on flea and tick medications.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I have been a Registered Veterinary Technician for 8 and 1/2 years and I would be more than happy to offer any help or advice.

A.

Hi L. ~

I just sent you a private reply to this message. I have a ginormous soft spot for furries and the people who love them, so I hope you'll keep in touch with me and let me know how you and your boy are doing. There's nothing in the world like the bond we have with them, is there?

One tip I had for you is that you can have the vet write you a prescription for the meds and have it filled at a pharmacy. Vet clinics have to charge more because of their overhead and small inventories. they don't do it to make a bundle on the meds, but they do have to cover their costs.

I've heard a lot of good things about several of the on line pet med companies, so you would be safe using them. I'm offering this option for times when you might be out of a prescription and can't wait for a delivery. Also, I wanted other moms to know this is a good way to go in a pinch.

Please give your guy some tummy rubs and ear scratches for me!

We use 1800petmeds.com The heartworm medicine we have to have a prescription for, and they contact our vet for us to get the right prescription. We have never had a problem with them and save a good bit of money too. They always throw in a little treat for our dog when we order.

Foster and Smith is a big enough name so I wouldn't worry about that part. I would ask your vet and see what they think in case they offer matching prices (if you don't think they will match price, don't say anything). If they dont' match prices, then they may be against it altogether.
As long as it is pills or "dry" medicine, I wouldn't be worried about ordering it online.
If it is a liquid medicine that NEEDS to be refrigerated, then I might think twice about it.
I had medicine delivered for myself once, that had an ice pack with it, but FED EX left it without permission and I didn't find it until a few hours later. They were suppose to have a SIGNATURE on it before they left it.
The pharmacy may be fine, but the delivery is what I question more than anything.

I don't have any experience from the consumer side, but I used to work at a vet's office. The company *should* contact your vet if it's a prescription med. And, I don't see any reason you can't use them. You might also check with your vet and see if they will price match. You might have to take into account the shipping fee with that price match, but it certainly won't hurt to ask.

I haven't used them myself - but my neighbor does ALWAYS! She has recommended drfosters...to me for my dogs allergies. She has had several dogs with all sorts of issues she loves their products! Good luck to you.

I've only had to buy flea/tick meds and heartworm pills, but I've used petshed.com and found it to be the cheapest. I know they do the prescription med thing, just not sure which ones. Good luck and hugs to your furbaby!

Hi L.,

We have a 5 year old dog with addisons disease and we order her medication online from Pet Health Pharmacy out of Youngtown, Az. We have also used Canadian Vets but their costs were only a few dollars different from our vets, so I always comparison shop for refills- sometimes its worth the time to check, sometimes its not. Hope that helps. I know how precious our "extended family members" are!

A.