Buy Pet Meds Without a Prescription?
Sure, you could buy pet meds without a prescription online, but does it make sense for you and your pet?
Buy Pet Meds Without a Prescription?
By now you’ve probably already seen the bold-faced claims. For example, one online pet pharmacy, boasting that its services are “As Seen on NBC,” tries to reel in unsuspecting visitors with these alluring statements:
“Tired of your Vet controlling where you can buy your pet medications cheaper? Wouldn’t it be easier to buy your pet, animal, veterinary and livestock supplies and medications no prescription required? No Vet needed and save 70% off at the same time.”
There are quite a few online pharmacies that dispense pet medicine and other discount pet medical supplies online, and they’ll often even offer free shipping, but buyer beware. The petmed you get might not arrive as advertised.
The FDA, in fact, is extremely worried about the “dangerous practice” of buying pet meds without a prescription, saying this:
“Companies that sell unapproved pet drugs and counterfeit pet products make fraudulent claims, dispense prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, and sell expired drugs…. Pet owners who purchase drugs from these companies may think they are saving money…but in reality, they may be short-changing their pet’s health and putting its life at risk.”
Is your dog’s health worth risking? Is your cat’s? Think about it.
Look for a Reputable Pharmacy
The FDA says it is especially concerned about people who buy NSAIDs for pets and heartworm pet meds without a prescription online. “Both drugs can be dangerous if there is no professional involvement,” the agency said in a statement regarding pet med info.
Find a reputable, licensed veterinary pharmacy that dispenses only FDA-approved pet medications, rather than some some “fly-by-night” operation. Good examples include 1-800-PetMeds and Doctors Foster and Smith. According to Dr. Race Foster, while some outfits “merely fill and ship orders,” his own pharmacy realizes “that behind every prescription is a special companion animal who deserves the best.” Meanwhile, 1-800-PetMeds says that it will not allow you to buy pet meds without a prescrition: You “must have an authorization before they are dispensed.”
More Pet Med Tips
To simplify things, sometimes you can just have the pharmacy call your vet directly. And for certain flea control products such as Frontline Plus, K9 Advantix, Advantage or Bio Spot, prescriptions are not likely required. But if you want prescription pet medications like Revolution or Sentinel, your best bet is to take your pet to the veterinarian for a full checkup, and then fill your vet’s prescription at a reputable online pets pharmacy.
Buy pet meds without a prescription? Don’t do it.
Photo credit: Wonderlane/Flickr.com
June 15th, 2010 at 11:45 am
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