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Updated on November 17, 2008
A.W. asks from Gastonia, NC
28 answers

I just ran into a problem getting my dog's perscription from the vet. I was gonig to order his medication from 1800petmeds, but my vet says that he is very against this site. He did give me some of his reasons and even some articles to back it up. My only problem is, that when I went to look it up I noticed that all of the problems happened at least 2 years ago. So does anybody have any thoughts or recent stories? I know if i push the issue he will give me the script, but I will not risk my dog just to save a few dollars. This is his medicine for arthritis.
Thanks
A.

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D.J.

answers from Charlotte on

Hi A.,

I have raised some pups off and on for years and I have also heard that about 800-petmeds. Here is the link to the place where I get all my supplies. They are reputable and I have never had any problems and have used them for years. They have health care products for pet professionals, vets, and pet lovers. I think you will be pleased with their products and their service. And I trust them!

http://www.revivalanimal.com/
800-786-4751

My business also has an awesome pet line (how I was introduced many years ago before even knowing about the human stuff!!) and we have some things to help with arthritis. It is a health and wellness company.
www.Oxyfresh.com/D.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Make it a great day!

D.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.C.

answers from Raleigh on

If the vet is so negative about you getting the prescriptions from 1800petmeds ask him if he will match the price you can get from there, if not insist on the prescription. Good luck.

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L.M.

answers from Charlotte on

I bought my dogs arthritis medicine from 1800 PetMeds and don't seem to be having any problems, but I'm very interested in what you've heard- as I've never heard anything negative.

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B.D.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi A.. I have 3 dogs and 3 kitties and also order pet prescriptions online to save money. I have not used 1800petmeds, but I do use Entirelypets.com. They are in the USA, are fast, and are generally even cheaper than 1800petmeds. We have had really good results with them, so maybe that is an option for you. It is considerably less expensive than purchasing from most veterinarians. Best of luck!
Becca

2 moms found this helpful
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K.W.

answers from Asheville on

Call Pet's Choice Pharmacy ###-###-#### they're good and I've been using them for awhile!!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.Y.

answers from Knoxville on

I have bought heartworm medicine from them before and had no problems whatsoever. Why is your vet so against them?

1 mom found this helpful
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T.C.

answers from Charlotte on

Hi A.,
In my opinion, the Vets office doesn't want to lose the sale. I have dealt alot with Petmeds and they have treated me more than fair! The products as far as I know are the same.

Good luck!
T.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.L.

answers from Jacksonville on

As a frugal consumer I totally understand shopping around for the best prices. As a veterinarian's wife, I also understand about trying to make payroll, and pay off the million dollar mortgage on the clinic, and the hundred thousand in student loans, and feed the wife, kids and pets at home. I know - how greedy.

The only thing I've heard my hubby say about online retailers is what a pain in the neck it is for him to go through the motions to do that, which takes TIME (for which he's obviously not compensated), which often makes him late in seeing appointments, which makes his day longer, and which means less time at home with me and the kids.

I would just say be considerate and don't try to waste his day. He once had an ignorant R.N. (who invariably believe they know more than the vet - with his 8+ years of schooling; he sure doesn't get that from MDs) harass him on the phone for about 30 minutes because she was bound and determined to get a $4 prescription, when those came out and were all the rage at Walmart and grocery stores. There wasn't a dose in the medication that would have worked for her pet, and she just didn't get it, and kept harassing him to try to get that $4 prescription, which wasn't possible. She ruined his day. Be at least as considerate as you would be with your family doctor.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Raleigh on

The vet I used to work for did not like to approve those prescriptions either. She said that they used different ingredients in different countries and that not all of those companies stood by their product. Ex: If you pet was on heartworm meds that covered a dewormer too (fecal worms) and your pet came down with roundworms or something the company would not cover it. And then the different ingredients and it not being as effective. Thats just what I have heard

She would make us tell the clients that and if they still wanted it we would just notate it in the computer that we let them know. We would also tell the clients to check with the company they were ordering from to see if that company (petmeds, etc..) stood by the product. I hope this is helpful to you.

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L.S.

answers from Lexington on

No experience with them. Their prices are the same as my vets.

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S.P.

answers from Nashville on

My vet was against giving me a prescription as well. They offered me a generic version of the medicine at the same price as petmeds. They just don't want to lose the sale. If they won't offer a comparable price I'd request the prescription again.

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A.B.

answers from Raleigh on

Every vet I've met will tell you the same thing. However, you need to know that they rely on the markup of these prescription meds to stay in business. I've used medications from online vendors before and never encountered any problems. Hope this helps. A. B.

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J.M.

answers from Memphis on

I use them for heartworm prevention, flea treatment, and a prescription for our old dog. They verify all orders for the annimals with your vet to make sure you are ordering what you need and the animal is under the regular care of a vet. We've never had any problems. I'd guess your vet's real issue with you using it is that he doesn't get the money and higher markup on his prescription.

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S.U.

answers from Raleigh on

Arthritis medications are long term meds and mean good income for veterinarians. As long as you are getting what he is prescribing from PetMeds.com, there is no difference. He apparently is losing business to online pharmacies and wants to retain the business. I'd go with online for something as long term as arthritis meds. You can always shop around or go back to your vet if you aren't happy with the delivery or service, the product is the same.

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N.T.

answers from Louisville on

I have been dealing with petmeds for about 10 years now and have never had a problem with them. The vets office charge so much for everything and I have so many dogs I wouldn't do it any other way.

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S.S.

answers from Nashville on

Before my parents dog passed away my mom always bought her heart worm pills from 1800PetMeds. She never had a problem. Every company is going to have people not happy with them or a few issues here and their. And of course your vet doesnt want you to use them, less money for him.

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C.K.

answers from Knoxville on

Hi A.,
I don't have any info to back up any negative stories about 1800petmeds, but I know my vet has concerns about them also. My vet will price match what they have on their web site - maybe yours will do the same?
Cyndi

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A.A.

answers from Lexington on

I have used petmeds to order Heartgard and Frontline and havent had a problem at all. They did have to call my vet to get the 'okay' from him first. One of my two dogs has to get a shot once a week for her allergies but I wont get that from PetMeds.....would rather get that from my vet, although Im sure it would be cheaper through the webiste!

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M.M.

answers from Knoxville on

I've had only good experiences with 1800petmeds. My vet's office really resisted giving me the prescription for deramaxx, even after the petmeds people contacted them several times. I went down there and demanded my scrip, and the vet I spoke with said, "is it REALLY that much cheaper?" and I said, "well, of course it is, it's almost half of what I'm paying you guys" and she gave me the prescription. They would not give me a prescription for the frontline--claiming they don't give prescriptions for that; their price on it is comparable to pet meds, however.
I pay out the wazoo for medical treatment for my 17 yr old corgi furrkid and I understand them marking that up for profit, but the drug markup is ridiculous.
Your vet just wants to make more money off of you, A.. Good luck!

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K.H.

answers from Huntington on

This reminds me of the eye doctors who sell overpriced glasses in their office so you feel pressured to by them!

I don't have hard facts to back this up, but I would imagine vets get the Rx's for a wholesale price and make money when they sell them to us. I am sure that sites like this, although saving us $$, hurt the vets financially. In otherwords, there may be other (financial) motives to his comments that he is not willing to share with you. I am sure most people would cave simply because they know their vet disapproves.

My vote is to buy online!!

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S.G.

answers from Charlotte on

A.: I agree with several other people's comments that your vet's problem is mostly about the money he is losing. I understand that he is trying to make a living but I would argue that he still needs to be honest and competitive!! I have used PetMeds for years with no problems. In fact, after some wonderful and compassionate customer service from them I will probably be a customer for life. Several years ago our older Golden Retriever died suddenly right after I had ordered a 6 month supply of heartworm medicine for her. I decided it could not hurt to ask PedMeds about their return policy but I wasn't expecting them to take it back. They did! With no questions, no hesitancy - only many apologies for our loss.

C.R.

answers from Charleston on

I have been using Petmeds for almost as long as they've been around. I've only had one problem with getting scripts from them and it was because my NEW vet didn't like them. He charged me $13 everytime he had to okay a prescription through them for each animal... I have 6 which is too expensive. And his prices for the same medication were over the top. Either way I was paying him too much. After consulting another vet in the area, and my old vet from another state I learned the only real issue anymore is money. The Vets make a profit off of these products. Either tell him to give you the script or change vets... I changed.

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A.J.

answers from Memphis on

I used to work for a vet and they had no problem giving out scripts but they would make sure each person knew that online websites do not guarantee their goods. Is it really worth your dog's health?

Also know that vets don't "make money" off of selling presciptions. The prices may vary a few dollars from location to location, but that's mostly to cover shipping expenses. Yes, they get perks for carrying brand name drugs but do not gain a huge financial benefit from filling prescriptions.

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V.C.

answers from Wheeling on

Of course any doctor is going to stick to his/her opinion. My kids are grown (and we don't 'do' vets, much), but with the kids I learned YEARS ago that one doctor's opinion may vary 180 degrees from another's (and they're BOTH 'good doctors), so your OWN opinion is often just as dependable. Follow your instincts. I order stuff online all the time. You can be paranoid (or trusting) about anything! I choose to give everyone (business or person) the 'benefit of the doubt' until they prove themselves untrustworthy. I'd give 'online' a try!

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N.L.

answers from Raleigh on

My vets office will price match if I bring in the printout from 1800Petmeds. See if yours will do the same.

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N.H.

answers from Nashville on

Hi A.! We have a chocolate lab!! And he too gets arthritis medication. We use 1800petmeds. Our vet told us when he started taking them (3 months ago) that petmeds had had some complaints and trouble "a few years ago" but that he has several patients using them now. We haven't had any issues. Good Luck!!

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A.W.

answers from Raleigh on

I used it a few years ago...but to keep me from using it, my vet matched the price.

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J.B.

answers from Nashville on

Hi A., I've been using 800PetMeds for a few years now and never had any problems, nor have I heard of these articles. Maybe I should research it more, but I order Frontline and Heartguard (well I now get the generic) but they have always worked for my 80lb retriever mix and my special needs Persian cat. My vet will sometimes take a while to give them the 'okay' but other than that, no problems. I agree with the others that the vet's office doesn't want to lose the money they would make off the sale of meds. Maybe you could check with another vet for a second opinion. Good Luck!

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