My cat is on lifelong medicine costing £700 a year, we can’t get a prescription online as the vet charges too much for it. How do you keep your pets medicine costs down?
Posted by pass_awsccp@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 160 comments
We will save £300 a year if we get it online but the vet says they’ll only give 1 month prescription at a time and charge £10 every time. That’s £120 for the prescription. Plus we’ll need to get the 1 month supply as opposed to the 3 month supply sos costs will pretty much remain the same.
Any help appreciated. Many thanks
alrightpickle@reddit
Pet medicine mark up is insane! My dog is on an ointment that costs £44 a tube at the human pharmacy and £120 from the vet.
I keep seeing the vet brand Snoots on Instagram offering routine drugs so much cheaper.
Illustrious_Bus8440@reddit
My cat needed eyes drops, the eyes drops are the human ones because I looked them up in the BNF- the go to medicine book for Drs in the uk. The cost to the NHS was something like £1.67p. The vet charged £47! It would have been cheaper to go to the GP and pretend i had conjunctivitis, even with the prescription charge.
alrightpickle@reddit
My dog is also on daily Fluoxetine (Prozac) so we get that from the human pharmacy too - it only ends up costing me about £20 a month between the written prescription but it would be at least 3 times that from the vet. It's mad! I think it might be because so many people are paying via insurance companies so costs are inflated (like they are in the US).
Used_Sky2116@reddit
So, you got a GP to write you a fake prescription at cost for the taxpayer, to give to your dog?
I understand the extortion of the veterinarian system, but what you and your GP is fraud.
StalkerOfCats@reddit
You can get a prescription from the vets and a normal pharmacy can fulfill it if they have it.
onetimeuselong@reddit
If there’s a licensed animal medicine the vet is breaking the law by prescribing a human medicine inappropriately under the cascade system.
Apidium@reddit
What makes you think their GP was involved at all?
You can get the vet to write a script and then take it to a human pharmacy and if they stock the meds they will give them to you for standard fees.
Impossible-Fruit5097@reddit
You’re aware that pharmacies except private prescriptions as well as NHS, right?
alrightpickle@reddit
No. My vet wrote the prescription for my dog.
TeaBaggingGoose@reddit
Actually Fluoxetine is ridiculously cheap - like a few pence per pill. So cost of drug will be WAY below the cost of the perscription. So its likely the NHS will actually be making a profit.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
That’s completely wrong and there’s bigger fish to fry. Tax avoidance for example. Ffs
hazydais@reddit
When I ordered meds from the supplier, our vets sold them at a 50% mark-up. So that same tube would’ve been around £37.50 from the supplier.
bacon_cake@reddit
Don't even go to the GP. Most online GP pharmacies will prescribe you stuff in about five minutes if you tick the correct boxes and write a sentence or two of symptoms.
hazydais@reddit
The vets I used to work at would advice clients to buy human meds where possible. They can prescribe human meds using the cascade when a veterinary alternative isn’t available, but if there’s a licensed animal version then they’re obliged to prescribe that.
alrightpickle@reddit
Sorry, I should have been clearer. I'm getting it from the human pharmacy with a prescription from my vet. They're helping me save the money
TeaBaggingGoose@reddit
I know this too well. My cat was diabetic and we used human insulin which was pretty cheap.
Then some company spotted an opportunity, got their insulin licenced and poof! Cost went up x10
I never paid them - got it from a friend.
-STONKS@reddit
It's because a vet is usually absorbing their consultation and overheads into it
_White-_-Rabbit_@reddit
Our vets charge £60 just to see them!
No need to absorb the consultation fee
alrightpickle@reddit
I pay for the consultation separately. I like my vets, they did me a written prescription with 5 refills for just £15.
real_Mini_geek@reddit
No the NHS is insanely good and most of the world is used to paying through the nose for medication
alrightpickle@reddit
I buy the ointment on a private vet prescription at the human pharmacy - it's not NHS subsidised?
lazyplayboy@reddit
Many meds can legally be only prescribed for 1 month at a time with no repeats. £300 - £120 for the prescriptions is still a saving.
£10 per prescription is low. Many meds are available online cheaper than vets can get them wholesale.
Ok-Kitchen2768@reddit
I know, my vets (vets4pets fuck you) charge like £50 per prescription...
So now I'm stuck on a £15 month flea and worming plan because it's cheaper than getting a 1 month prescription and buying the flea meds he needs on petdrugsonline.
God damn this stupid cat for getting a flea medicine allergy and needing a specific type of flea treatment or else he goes bald. I have insurance why doesn't it cover this!!!
Youki_san@reddit
I do think Seresto collars have helped owners manage flea control with their pets. Very useful if a cat will tolerate the collar
Secludeddawn@reddit
Ehh not true
Controlled drugs are limited to 1 month supply. Prescriptions don't technically have a limit but it's best practice to keep it under 3 months.
What's also common is repeating of private prescriptions. I.e. a prescriber writes a 1 month supply of medicine and then also make a note that says 'repeat x5'. Which essentially means the prescription can be repeated 5 times so you can get 6m worth out of one prescription which is the maximum (aside from oral contraception). You'll have to still pay the dispensing fee each time but it's still cheaper than getting a new prescription each time.
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
Bullshit. Our dog is on a level 3 controlled drug. He's on 6 month prescriptions.
okaythen1guess@reddit
Which drug? We were told off by the RCVS for doing a 3 month supply of Gaba
Youki_san@reddit
The RCVS have really shit written advice. I believe the website says "appropriate prescribing" (which is on point with them never clarifying anything)
Secludeddawn@reddit
It's rare but it's possible if it's justifiable. Prescription is still valid 28d
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
It's not rare. You just need to find a vet who isn't part of the cartel.
Secludeddawn@reddit
No it's not it's literally the law, human and animal prescriptions. Limited to 1m unless you can justify more supply. Congratulations on your vet supplying you six months.
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
From the RCVS
That's should not, not must not.
And we continue....
So nothing there that says they cannot prescribe more than 30 days. And given our dog is 12 and been on epilepic drugs for 11 years I think we've proven competence.
Secludeddawn@reddit
Did I at any point say it wasn't allowed? I simply said it wasn't good practice unless the veterinarian can justify more. You're literally regurgitating exactly what I said 🤣
No I do not have a link because it's clearly outlined in the Medicines, ethics and practice booklet which is subscription only. This is the problem when lay people become Google vets 💀
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
If you know it's allowed then why did you even post a response trying to make out it wasn't and not only that, downvote me too?
You don't have a link because it doesn't exist. If it's the law then you can link to the legislation that covers it surely? All of the government legislation surrounding controlled drugs is available on the government website. All of it. Crack on.
Secludeddawn@reddit
Lmao stay mad
I'm not downvoting you, someone else is 😂
As I said, some professional resources are just left to professionals. I don't know what you're arguing against, I didn't say it was absolutely illegal to give 6m, I just said it's not great practice - which is literally a known standard in the medical world...but you wouldn't know that would you
To_a_Mouse@reddit
If the online pharmacy does a 3 month supply option, my guess is that these drugs can be sold at that level if needed
Jerkcaller69@reddit
Get a new vet! Good vets make it easier for their customers to meet their pets medical needs
charlie_boo@reddit
I was about to do this recently for similar reasons and then at the last minute realised all our local vets are actually owned by the same large company hundreds of miles away in Bristol.
I’m assuming they are slowly being bought out as they used to be independent businesses.
Go to your vets website and check the registered company details at the bottom of the page.
Exita@reddit
Unfortunately the independent businesses often weren’t making enough money to remain viable. The Corporations are indeed buying them out as they collapse then raising prices to keep them sustainable.
trigodo@reddit
It's interesting that they are not sustainable - every visit in veterinary is at least 60£ and usually over 100£. When I go to vet I'm always staying in que and visit is usually no longer than 10-15min. That seems like golden egg business for me
Youki_san@reddit
I don't think practice profit margins are anywhere near as good as people think they are. Costs are high (staffing, medication, equipment)- startup and running.
I don't get involved with the business side, but a vet is generally the primary earner for a practice- nurses, care assistants, receptionists etc generally don't make much/any money for a practice, but are vital to keeping it running. It's not "£100 profit" at all.
Exita@reddit
Nothing like, unfortunately. The costs are incredible.
The old partnerships are dying because the reward for the partners just doesn’t reflect the risk and amount of capital you have to put in. You generally can’t get investors as the return is terrible, so all the financial risk is on the partners, and they just don’t earn enough to make it worthwhile.
Hence loads selling up. My wife works at a corporate recently acquired. The old owner still works there - but earns the same for working less and with no financial risk. Far better for him.
Ultimate the whole profession is in crisis. You do as much training as a doctor, and if you’re lucky earn half as much. Vets are leaving the profession (or emigrating) all the time.
AutoModerator@reddit
It looks like you've written the pound sign (£) after the number 60, but it should be written before the number like this:
£60.^(I am an annoying bot, so please don't be offended.)
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
IsOvoid@reddit
Hmmm. Why would that happen? Could there be something else at play?
Exita@reddit
Well, as someone whose wife is a vet and has worked in independents and corporates, it’s largely that people don’t like paying for healthcare. Vets, in general, really want to help your animals, so push prices as low as possible. They then make very little money, struggle to run their business, and eventually give up and sell up.
The corporates saw the opportunity and moved it. They are then more cut-throat, so actually charge what is necessary to keep the place running. More partnerships then fold as the staff all head to the corporates where they are much better paid.
It’s a shitty situation, but not everything is a conspiracy. What’s at play is the cost of living crisis with prices of electricity and gas and water and drugs and consumables all going up at the same time as people expecting more pay. The only way to keep veterinary medicine viable which is under the vets control is… charge more.
ThunderThighsChun-li@reddit
Keynsham, technically.
Source: I used to work there. Glad I don't anymore.
Youki_san@reddit
Take an internet fistbump for surviving your time with THE COMPANY
BitterOtter@reddit
Unfortunately you are right. It's become a bit of an issue and many vets feel uncomfortable about it as they are pressured to increase revenue which is not always in line with animal welfare and the best interests of owners. But independents often don't have the money to invest in swanky premises and big machines, so it's a bit of a catch 22. There was a BBC article about it not long ago (link below), but the standout stat for me was this: "In 2013, only 10% of vet practices in the UK were owned by large corporate groups. Now that figure stands at 60%."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62zzegvk33o
haphazard_chore@reddit
When my local vets was bought out, the prices skyrocketed. Thankfully there was still an independent vets to use which was way cheaper.
astromech_dj@reddit
Same with GPs.
jimicus@reddit
Yeah, it’s becoming more common for small practises to sell out to such companies.
The sheer workload and investment necessary means that unless you specifically planned to become a big practise straight out of college, you’re lumbered with a small site that can’t make enough money to expand to something that allows you to take weekends and evenings off. You’re earning a perfectly average salary but working way more.
Melodic-Document-112@reddit
A veterinarian’s ONLY consideration is making money and there is no mention in the veterinarian’s handbook of helping to make things easier for anyone.
minnis93@reddit
It's not their only consideration, what a load of bollocks. All vets I know of go into the profession because they are animal lovers, they do it for animal welfare. Of course they have to make money doing it but to say they're only doing it to make money is stupid.
Melodic-Document-112@reddit
Part of the sales process is making you believe that to be the case
itsfourinthemornin@reddit
We had a period in life where we couldn't pay bills straight up for our dog when I was younger, our vet went above and beyond to help with care and cost. Another dog who unfortunately began suffering seizures, again they put in a lot of work to bring down costs for my parents despite them being able to, and happy to pay, the bills. Spent many years fostering rescue dogs too, same vet would go above and beyond to give reductions/support for the bills, advice for cheaper methods of care over buying medications and still do with our current dogs.
Relative-Thought-105@reddit
I read this as "get a new cat" which seemed harsh
Ok_Elderberry_5690@reddit
Ha I read it as “Get a new pet”
Youki_san@reddit
What medication is it, out of interest?
£10 for a prescription is quite cheap as private prescriptions go, but you're right that it will add up. What I would suggest is chatting initially to the treating vet- ask them if there's a reason that you can't have longer on prescription. There are sometimes valid reasons for doing a short term prescription. If it's a stance that the current vet won't move on, then you can get seen by other vets for a second opinion.
deerme25@reddit
Everyone is saying new vet but without knowing the medication no one can say for sure. £10 is actually incredibly cheap for a prescription, most places are in the £20-35 region. Also if this is a controlled drug then they legally cannot write you a prescription for more than 1 month at a time. If your cat has been put on the medication recently then they may be waiting for him to stabilise and dose taper and until then a longer prescription cannot be provided. There’s not enough info to answer this question properly.
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
Bullshit. Our dog is on a level 3 controlled drug. We get 6 month prescriptions.
deerme25@reddit
This is not entirely false. Written prescriptions for controlled drugs can be given for longer than 28 days but only if clinically justified in exceptional circumstances and it is rare that this is done. Generally, you would not find this to be the case. You can find this information on the RCVS guidelines for prescribing CDs and I work in a vets dealing with this often. I can’t think of a client of the top of my head who we give a written prescription for a CD for more than 28 days.
MailMoogle@reddit
Registered Veterinary Nurse here. It really does depend on the medication and how stable your pet's illness is. If your pet is not stable, their dose is likely to need to be changed frequently, or there are known side effects to keep track of such as the drug's effect on your pet's kidneys, your vet will need to see your cat more frequently to make sure they're doing well and still on the correct dose for them.
How long has your cat been diagnosed with this condition and on this medication? If this is a new thing, your vet may be wanting to keep a close eye for now on how things are progressing, and may be able to give you longer prescriptions later. It's worth speaking to them about what they expect the outcome for your pet to be.
A more stable condition can have prescriptions for 3 or 6 months of medication. This can however not be the case for controlled drugs, as they're unlikely to give you large amounts at once due to the possibility of abuse.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
Thanks for your help, he’s on Thyronorm he has been on it for about a year now
SympathyForTheTerror@reddit
If your cat is still (relatively) young then I'd ask your vet (or indeed a different one...) about the more permanent options of radiation therapy or surgery. Both as a long-term cost saving, but also as a more effective treatment. Thyronorm IME just slowed down the deterioration somewhat.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
He’s 12, although the vet hasn’t suggest any alternative option just yet. He had a very high dosage which is 5mg twice a day
SeamasterCitizen@reddit
This is insane. Get a new vet.
My cat had the radiation jab at the same age, it’s one and done. Think it was a few grand on insurance.
There is usually very little need for lifelong thyroid meds these days, as better options exist.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
We don’t have insurance unfortunately 🥲 mind if I DM for further info?
SeamasterCitizen@reddit
We got our cat done at Chipping Norton Vets. Give them a call, get a quote. Not sure if you’ll need a referral, but shouldn’t be hard to get a letter from your existing vet.
okaythen1guess@reddit
OP can't afford a £10 script- I doubt they can afford thousands for radiation therapy
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
Our dog is on a level 3 controlled drug. We get 6 month prescriptions.
BornSlippy2@reddit
Depends what the med is. If it's a controlled drug, legally, get can only dispense / prescribe 1m worth of treatment.
And 10 pounds for a prescription is a pretty decent price. £12-£18 per item in most places I used to work.
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
Nope. Our dog is on L3 controlled, we get 6 month prescriptions.
BornSlippy2@reddit
If by L3 you mean schedule 3 drug, prescriptions are legally valid for 28 days only.
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
Yes it's a schedule 3 drug. It's a 6 month prescription. You're talking out of your arse.
BornSlippy2@reddit
It's either 28-30 days installments on the prescription or your vet does not care about the law.
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/faqs/what-is-the-maximum-amount-of-a-controlled-drugs-that-can-be/?&&type=rfst&set=true#cookie-widget
Have a good day :)
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
Maybe you should read the link you posted.
That's should not, not must not.
And we continue....
So nothing there that says they cannot prescribe more than 30 days. And given our dog is 12 and been on epilepic drugs for 11 years I think we've proven competence.
BornSlippy2@reddit
Maybe you should read whole link provided?
okaythen1guess@reddit
"Controlled drugs
A written prescription for a schedule 2 or 3 controlled drug has a validity of 28 days (unless a shorter period is stated) and is not repeatable."
Straight from the RCVS. I take it your clinic isn't rcvs accredited?
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
Also from the RCVS
That's should not, not must not.
And we continue....
So nothing there that says they cannot prescribe more than 30 days. And given our dog is 12 and been on epilepic drugs for 11 years I think we've proven competence.
DarthScabies@reddit
Change vets. Mine charges £80 for a vial of Insulin. I've asked for my mutrs prescription so I can fet it online for £35. Fucking robbers.
Exita@reddit
My wife is a vet. We still get our animal drugs from the online pharmacies, because even getting drugs at cost price from the regular veterinary suppliers is much more expensive.
Someone may well be robbing you, but it’s not the vets.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
Do you have to pay for the prescriptions mate ?
Exita@reddit
For the bit of paper? No, as my wife just writes one out for me.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
Ahh cheeky!
nubbintoseehere@reddit
Online suppliers can buy in bulk for discounted prices, your vet practice probably can't to the same scale so the cost to them might be more than that online price, especially if they're an independent practice. Add on on-site storage/energy costs etc.
The pharmaceutical company mark up is probably more significant!
setokaiba22@reddit
I’m confused you say you can’t get it online but you say you can save £300 a year online.
£10 a month seems acceptable to me for a family pet if you can afford it and fit it’s needed. Do you not spend £10 a month on stuff you don’t need or daft things that you can stop to help?
The alternate is well you know..
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
The medicine is £40 cheaper online for a 3 month supply, but you need a prescription from the vet to buy it which they charge £10 for and will only give for a month supply which is more expensive. Costs remain the same.
No need to have judgements. I can afford to look after my cat and will pay anything to look after him. However I am looking for a cheaper way to look after him as like any normal smart person, I try and save money by assessing my options.
quellflynn@reddit
your maths isnt right here
if the medicine is £40 cheaper for 3 months, then a years supply is £160 cheaper, not £300.
you may find that your medicine online is £40 cheaper per month, but the vets will charge you £10 a month for the prescription, meaning that you'll save £30 a month, or about £360 a year.
what's the prescription?
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
As I mentioned the prescription lasts a month so I am restricted to the 1 month supply which costs more. 3 months supply = cheaper bottle because of economies of scale, basic business knowledge
If I factor in the expensive 1 month supply and prescription costs it works out the same.
Do you understand now? Anything else you like explaining ??
quellflynn@reddit
yeah, the actual prescription.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
I don’t think anything’s getting through to this one
quellflynn@reddit
you haven't said the type of drug or size.
I was trying to help.
No-Oil9121@reddit
Ask your vet how many repeats are on that script. Our dog is on tablets for life for allergies. She's on a 30 day prescription with 6 repeats so its essentially a 6-month prescription but the vets call it a 30 day.
Almeric@reddit
What medication is it?
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
Thyronorm
Almeric@reddit
Shouldn't cost that much. Ask for a written prescription of a 100ml bottle. Get a 100ml bottle (44 pounds online). 100ml bottle should last you 2.5-3 months. So, that's around 220 pounds per year.
You also need 2 medication reviews per year. To cut down costs ask your vet to do one of the reviews on your vaccination appointment(if your cat gets vacfinated). I'd advise T4 bloods each time. Those bloods are 50-90 pounds depending on the clinic.
Consider radiotherapy once stabilized as that is the only cure for hyperthyroidism. It's around 4k pounds, but in 95% the cases, it's a full cure.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
He has to have 2 x 5mg a day which is 2ml. The vet charges £90 for 100ml. He needs 7-8 bottles a year. This costs about £650
Almeric@reddit
Oh, I thought he was a newly diagnosed cat for which 2.5mg is the standard starting dose. Just get it online and you'll save some money, but there's no way to save more apart from asking vets for a repeat prescription, but it won't be a lot of money you'll end up saving that way.
ElBisonBonasus@reddit
£90/month for Vetoryl 30mg from the vets. £57.50 online. But the vets charge £22.50 for the prescription, it's only good for a month's worth. Teir excuse is that they're following RCVS guidelines, I've asked RCVS and they don't have a guideline for this medicine...
okaythen1guess@reddit
Rhw RCVS have guidelines for ALL pom-v drugs. This can vary from practice and dependent on how stable the patient is and also on compliance
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
The vets are lying to you.
Magic_hatty@reddit
I paid £101.70 for 30 days worth of 30mg of Vetoryl yesterday. Online would be cheaper but as you say the cost of the prescription negates the saving. I'm with the Vets for Pets and whilst the vet is good and a massive contrast to what we experienced at the Animal Trust, his consultation fee alone is £45 (vs animal trust who dont charge a consultationfee). Up until recently we had much more choice of vets but there simply doesn't seem to be one in our area anymore. Sadly, Peggy's declined significantly in the past couple of weeks and its likely that her final visit isn't too far in the future. I doubt there will be more pets in my near future because the costs are extortionate and being a responsible person involves considering these issues. It will be my first time in many year that we've not had a dog in the house.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
I am Sorry to hear about your dog bud
nubbintoseehere@reddit
Guidelines are not legally binding, they can usually only be used to demonstrate reaching the threshold of 'Good Practice', and even then they are often open to interpretation. Some vets choose to err further on the side of caution as ultimately it's their livelihood at stake if they are prosecuted under The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013.
Online suppliers can buy in bulk for discounted prices, your vet practice probably can't to the same scale so the cost to them might be more than that online price, especially if they're an independent practice. Add on on-site storage/energy costs etc.
The pharmaceutical company mark up is probably more significant!
landwomble@reddit
Change vet. Mine gives me 6 months prescriptions (caninsulin) at a time and I buy it from Animed. For a lifelong condition a month at a time is ridiculous
belfast-woman-31@reddit
Does your insurance not cover it? My cat is on medication and solensia injections every month which comes to around £200 but her insurance covers it all apart from a £100 excess at the start of the renewal.
Spade_Key@reddit
Not saying OP doesn't insurance their cat but I do wish everyone did because I have family who will take on several pets and not insure them and then reach out via a Go Fund Me page when they need help with the pet's medical bills. They don't even see it as an issue because they're asking you to help their pet and not them. Have some foresight and insure your pet if you don't have the funds to pay for expensive treatment.
My cat had feline meningitis at 2.5 years old (or brain cancer, we were never told). Luckily I had insured her with "Gold cover" from a kitten and so she had £10,000 annual cover. The total cost of her treatment was £14,000 but luckily the insurance year renewed half way through the 4 months of treatment so we didn't have to pay a penny. Best £7 a month I've ever spent. She's now 8 and the insurance has gone up to a whopping £13 a month... best £13 a month I'll ever spend :)
Firm_Doughnut_1@reddit
What insurance plan is that? Sounds a lot cheaper than what I've seen for that amount of cover
Spade_Key@reddit
The Insurance Emporium. I got my two cats on Life Time Gold cover when they were kittens.
88Jewels@reddit
What company do you use? I'm paying way more than that for less cover. I've never even claimed on either of them (two cats).
Spade_Key@reddit
My two cats have been with The Insurance Emporium since kittens. I think the cover I got was Life Time Gold or something like that where it doesn’t go up because of a claim or life long illness etc.
Ok-Kitchen2768@reddit
My insurance plan is £95 a month hook me up please
Cantseemtothrowaway@reddit
I’ve just stopped paying insurance for my18 year old dog. They wanted £190 a month. Even paying for her regular heart medications plus dental treatments it’s way less than that
waywardsundown@reddit
Ooof, yes agreed re: insurance. I got insurance for my dogs back when they were pups and honestly it paid for itself. We lost two to cancer very suddenly and the insurance even had a bereavement service we could use. Worth every single penny we paid. Both dogs had £5k+ of scans, specialist vet treatment, medications. I’d say it’s a cost you really need to factor in along with the cost of food etc when you get one.
terryjuicelawson@reddit
Ours is a bit more but getting about £70 worth of medicine a month out of it. There is a limit though which people may not realise, and it is not hard for a serious issue to max out thousands of cover. Then it comes to the point where I see people asking for money for their dog's three broken legs and think they need to just let it go tbh, that is no life...
CreakednCracked@reddit
Jesus Christ...and I'd hate to think how much that treatment costs today!
Neddlings55@reddit
My vet doesnt charge for prescriptions, but they are still independent thankfully.
They prescribe me 3 months worth of my dogs meds at a time for an eye watering £1200. Thank god for insurance. I dont order online though as id rather support a small business.
Vets arent money grabbers - they have massive overheads. A standard 2 vet, 5 nurse practice need to make around £60,000 a month to break even. They cant compete with online pharmacies as they cant buy in bulk. Where a warehouse can store hundreds, maybe thousands of bottles of a single medication, a vet can hold maybe around 10-20 max. The more you buy, the cheaper it is.
Most vets have a significant amount of money (often tens of thousands) owed to them too - the amount of people that dont pay is staggering.
I wouldn't touch a chain owned vet with a bargepole, but there is a reason so many independent vets are selling up. A lot of pressure for often very little reward.
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
Go look at the online price. I bet it's nowhere near. We're getting 6 months of the drugs our dog needs for the same price it is for 2 months from the vets.
Neddlings55@reddit
As i stated, i dont buy online as i want to support a small, independent business.
My insurance covers the cost, so it doesnt matter to me that online is cheaper.
Famous-Eye-4812@reddit
My dog is on allergy medication, my vets give 6 months at a time back to back. 2 year check up on medication, cost £45 for prescription. Vets charge £2 a tablet @petdrugsonline does for £1. Change vets or at least enquire about their prescription costs. swopping vets is ok and you should do it. You wouldnt stay with the same car insurance would you
MrsShadowZz@reddit
Only a check every 2 years for the refill prescription? Lucky! I’ve got to go in every 6 months for a check up and the new 6 months prescription. Also pet drugs online is great that’s who I use as well!
BigOptrex@reddit
If this is apoquel, I've found it makes no difference whether he gets a tablet every day or every two days.
RowRow1990@reddit
Regulations changed a few years ago regarding vet prescriptions and how long they csn issue things for. It's really from, but they genuinely might not be able fo write it for longer.
You could ring around different vets and ask if it's something they would do and then youll know if it's just your vect or everyone
PostSecularPope@reddit
That’s strange, my cat was on thyroid medication and I would buy three months supply from them each time
RowRow1990@reddit
Different medications have got different lengths. Some were extended, some were reduced and some stayed the same.
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
They can. The regulations actually increased the length they can write them from. Our dog is on a level 3 controlled drug and we get 6 month prescriptions.
Lowest_Denominator@reddit
Find a better vet, one who is not part of the three national chains. Our dog is epileptic and has been on medication for 11 years. Our vets once they changed to a franchise went down this 1 month bullshit. We changed vet.
One-Price680@reddit
Vets can do upto 6m on prescription (unless there's a reason for monthly checkups?) Get a new vet
FewUnderstanding8185@reddit
Get a new vet! Mine is a 6m prescription for £15 and then got the meds much cheaper at Animed for both cats
kristianroberts@reddit
What’s the medicine?
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
Thyronorm
Background-End2272@reddit
Can you ring other vets to ask them if they can write a longer prescription? Then ask what that costs?
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
Good idea will try this :)
chickdem@reddit
By not having a pet
diabollix@reddit
This is the clear-eyed answer but predictably you're going to get downvoted to the floor by the petfondler brigade.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
When did I say I can’t afford it? I can afford my cat I wouldn’t have got him if we couldn’t. Any smart person would try and cut costs in any way possible. Clearly you are not one of them
fucks_news_channel@reddit
"How can I save money, it's really tight at the moment"
"Have you got kids?"
"Yeah?"
"You should have had an abortion, it's your own fault"
diabollix@reddit
r/chickdem is offering actionable advice, not saying what they should have done, which is what your morally grotesque, apparently-equating-the-life-of-a-child-to-that-of-a-cat hypothetical seems to be attempting to do.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
I can afford my cat I wouldn’t have got him if we couldn’t. Any smart person would try and cut costs in any way possible. Clearly you’re not one of them
taboohoo@reddit
What’s the medicine? Tell the vet you are struggling with the financial cost of it all. If they are not sympathetic then try another vet in your area.
faythlass@reddit
My dog is on a controlled medication and I can only get one month at a time. I get it through the PDSA but I still get an itemised bill showing the full costs.
What I do notice is that the prescription charges are not every month, it's every few months I think. What I think happens is they write a prescription that repeats for a few months so there's only one charge and I'm still limited to the amount I can pick up.
I would look into this more and check to see if you are being charged a prescription charge each month then query it.
lxlviperlxl@reddit
Try get it overseas.
A coworker did this with a vet at Turkey. She got medicine for pennies and just brought it back normally.
I have zero sympathy for a lot of vets, especially the model where they’re all owned by mega American corps.
pass_awsccp@reddit (OP)
Bad idea
SheepherderContent15@reddit
This is illegal btw!
lazyplayboy@reddit
Terrible suggestion.
Duckdivejim@reddit
Get a new vet. My dog has Addisons and we get 3 month prescriptions.
Saves a fortune.
Flashward@reddit
Shovel to the back of the head
Maleficent_Set6014@reddit
I agree with getting a new vet! My vet gives me a written prescription for 6 months for my dog (3 months at a time with one repeat allowed). They charge around £20 for the prescription, the medication ordered online is 1/3 of the cost of ordering it through the vets so it is a no brainer for me! She has to have 6 monthly check ups but then they just reissue the prescription for me.
minteu@reddit
My cat has feline asthma. It cost £20 for an 8 months supply of inhalers (one dose a day, 120 doses per inhaler). My vet didn't charge for the prescription and suggested I find it a human pharmacy or online (I assume because of cost of getting it via them), I found it online for £10 an inhaler and they emailed his prescription to the online pharmacy. They have seemed to be really considerate of the cost to me to treat him.
Obviously every vet is different, my childhood cat was also on lifelong medicine and they would prescribe 6 months to 12 months at a time and the prescription cost was around £15-£20. If it isn't a controlled medicine and not a new medicine they are trialling on your cat, I would maybe look at alternative vets.
LucyMckonkey@reddit
you can use the same prescription multiple times. check how long it is valid for, it is not a one off use.
S1nnah2@reddit
Change vet and explain to the potential new vets what you want to do before signing up.
Itchy-Ad4421@reddit
Change vets or just use another for this - you can be signed up with as many vets as you like.
Sometimes the best thing to do is just ask for a copy of all of your pets medical records to be emailed to you - there’s not normally a charge for those.
Contact various vets and ask how long they can prescribe in a oner or how many repeats of this particular medication they will do for their prescribing fee.
£10 doesn’t seem too bad (my old one charges £25!!) but can totally see where you’re coming from if buying the 3 month supply reduces the cost. It’s a total racket. Most of the meds. An be bought for pennies online but as with everything vet related they tend to have you over a barrel. Everything seems to cost just a fraction more/less to have it provided by them so it’s more of a ball ache to get the script.
Like, metacam is 4 quid for 10ml and 4 quid delivery and my new vet charges £17 prescription fee. So 25 quid if I get a script and buy it myself. They will dispense the meds themself for 22 quid so may as well just buy it from them. Absolute cunts.
Out of interest - which medication and dosage is it? Have you checked to see if there’s a human alternative? (More importantly - am OTC one)
JackEvets@reddit
Yes, new vet for sure. My dog is on daily epilepsy meds, Solifen and Levetiracetam, and although we get the Solifen direct from the vet the other we get online.
Vet charges £16 for a 3 month prescription for 90 tablets we can get the tablets for 16p each from Weldricks. The vet would charge us over £200 for 30 tablets and they admit that it’s extortion. I assume that it’s because it’s a human medicine so there’s a non nhs markup from the supplier.
Snowey212@reddit
Yeah new vet, the one I use told me when I took my elderly rottie that I could buy her prescription much cheaper online in bulk and would provide me with her prescriptions but also let me know about non prescription medicines and supplements that would help her.
Less_Mess_5803@reddit
I cant help but feel vet's take owners for mugs and give all sorts of treatments out when they aren't necessary because owners are emotionally attached. Some of the bills make USA human medical bills seem reasonable.
another_online_idiot@reddit
Sounds like your vet is a grifter. Change your vet. A decent vet will be happy to provide a three month prescription etc..
itsYaBoiga@reddit
10 a month but 700 a year? What kinda weird 70 month year are you living in?
tinyarmyoverlord@reddit
£10 a month for the vet to write a 1 month prescription that they can use online to purchase the drugs cheaper.
lazyplayboy@reddit
Many meds can legally only be prescribed for 1 month at a time with no repeats. £300 online + £120 for the prescriptions is £35 a month which seems pretty reasonable, and is less than £700 pa.
£10 for a prescription is a low price. Many meds are available online for cheaper than the vets can obtain them wholesale.
AutoModerator@reddit
Please help keep AskUK welcoming!
When repling to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!
Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.