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Great deals on pet medicine!!

S

Silly Burrito

Senior member
I recently had to get some heartworm and flea medicine for my bulldog, Maggie. As anyone with pets knows, pet medicine can be expensive. However, most people don't know you can buy it online. When we found 1-888-Pet-Meds, their prices were a lot higher than other sites on the web.

Here's the deal: They'll pricematch any other site on the web and beat the price. Not just match it, they'll beat it. They don't even factor in different shipping costs. I found a six-pack of Frontline for 45.95 at Valuevet.com and a twelve pack of Heartguard for 50.95 at Medi-vet.com. When I called their number and told them the prices, she promptly dropped the price from their prices of around 65 bucks each to 40 for the Frontline and 45 for the Heartguard. The shipping was only 5.99. My vet would have charged around $125 for the same thing, but it would've only been a six month dose of Heartguard.

I realize this isn't the most smoking of deals, but they had EXCELLENT customer service, sent the medicine very promptly, and had the prescription cleared through my vet with no hassles at all. I suggest you search on Google for the cheapest medicines of all, then give them a call. It can't hurt, and with the money you save, you can buy your pet a new toy. 🙂

And by the way, I don't work for them, I'm just a satisfied customer!
 
Let me start by saying that I am a Veterinarian and a cheapo. In some cases, you can save a few dollars at these places but you should be warned about a few things. These places don't get the medications directly from the manufacturer (they refuse to sell to them because of their past irresponsible activities). Many times they get these products from overseas and who knows where. There have been quite a few reports of expired medications being sold (check the dates).

Probably the most important point is that the medications are not guaranteed by the drug companies like they are when they are sold directly from your Veterinarian (i.e. Your pet gets heartworms when on heartworm preventative sold from these places - They will not take responsibility/pay for treatment etc...). This is just a word of warning when wanting to save a few bucks from these places. I am not saying that you are wrong for doing that, I just want my fellow Anandtechers to be informed.

P.S. Remember to consider the cost of shipping.

SCR
 
Southerncentralrain, Thankyou I am glad you informed us of that, I was thinking about checking into this but after what you said I think i will try to cut corners somewhere else then take chances with my dogs health.
 
I don't know if I just have a good vet or what, but my dog takes Revolution and I can't find it online for any less than $25 MORE than my vet cahrges me.....



j
 
Southerncentralrain, I didn't even know that...I figured it was on the up and up...

I did check the medicines after I read your post. The heartworm medicine expires June 2004, and the Frontline didn't have a date on it, but I checked it with the Frontline that I had from the vet, and it didn't have a date either.

The shipping cost was 5.99 up to 2 lbs, and my two boxes were a pound combined, so shipping isn't bad. I can't speak for others, but I'm happy with them. However, if the medicine is bad, you can bet I'll be the first one on here and letting you know.

Thanks again for the comments!
 
Jfunk, just to let you know, (and I am CERTAINLY no vet) my vet told me that Revolution wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Maggie was on it, and when her six months were up, the vet said that tests have shown that it wasn't as effective as a jack of all trades medicine. He then suggested the Frontline Plus and Interceptor. She hasn't had any worms or fleas yet (crosses fingers!) Of course, I'm sure Southerncentralrain knows more than me, so take this advice with a grain of salt.
 

Silly Burrito,

I have the same feelings as your veterinarian on Revolution. I have never used it much except for cats (because of the difficulty in giving an oral heartworm preventative) and it does a great job at treating earmites. There are other (economical) reasons that I will not go into unless anybody has any interest in it. Here is the most economical and EFFECTIVE regimen out there and is what I recommend to my clients and use with my dog:

Proheart 6 Injection for heartworm preventative - It is a relatively new product, an injection that your Veterinarian gives once every 6 months. It is about the same cost as Heartgard and Interceptor 6 month supplies. It is fantastic if you have a hard time remembering giving the pill every month. Most clinics will send you a reminder in the mail when the shot is due again. This product will save many dogs from heartworms. If you like giving the pills and don't have a problem remembering, there is no problem with staying on the pills. (BTW, If you go to most of the Heartworm Preventative company's website, you can sign up for monthly email reminders to give the HWP).

Frontline Plus for flea/tick preventative/treatment- This is the most phenomenal medication out there. This product is definitely worth the $10-15/month. You will only need to use this during flea/tick season or when you think Maggie is going to be exposed, or has been exposed, to fleas/ticks. Basically you can save the money during the winter time (unlike Revolution) by not using unnecessary medication.

PLEASE NOTE: The Hartz products etc. that you get from Target, Wal-Mart, Grocery, etc. IS NOT the same medication. It is the same pyrethrins that have been used since the 70's that are initially effective but have very minimal residual activity. It is not safe in Cats and Small Breed Dogs!!! I have treated many animals for pyrethrin toxicosis and it isn't pretty. BTW, Frontline usually gives one dose free with purchase of a 6 month supply from your Veterinarian.
 
Used this service before. We <meaning me and my Vet> ordered super bulk to save 😀

She approved of it. Our local police force of dogs also use this service ... maybe thats a good sign, maybes its a bad one, I cant decide 😛

This site is reccommended.

Spac3d
 
For pricematching... Here are the cheapest advantage sources I could find on the net:

Cheapest for 4 packs

Cheapest for 6 packs

OK this is REALLY the cheapest -- like $14 for a 4 pack (depending on your animal size) and similar prices for 6 packs.
But...it's in Australia...
So price matching is probably not going to happen (to translate to US$ are just over 2x an Australian $)
Regular credit cards work. Visa or whoever gives you an OK exchange rate - but not the best.
Anyone else spot good prices?
 
Let me start by saying that I am a Veterinarian and a cheapo. In some cases, you can save a few dollars at these places but you should be warned about a few things. These places don't get the medications directly from the manufacturer (they refuse to sell to them because of their past irresponsible activities). Many times they get these products from overseas and who knows where. There have been quite a few reports of expired medications being sold (check the dates).

Southerncentralrain,

I don't completely agree with you as far as the quality issue but personally I buy my products only from my Veterinarian. The reason is that I realize that the pharmacy is a profit center for him and I accept that. I am comfortable knowing that I have a good Vet and know that even when I call him at home at 8am on a Sunday morning that he will open shop to see my injured dog.

I pay $87.50 for a 6 pack of Revolution knowing that I could easily buy it offshore at half the price. As far as the company not standing behind the product, I would not want to be Pfizer standing in a US court arguing before a jury as to why the product produced / sold in New Zealand, Mexico, etc is not of the same quality as that produced / sold in the USA. The defence costs as well as the negative media publicity would cost Pfizer many times the cost of treating the animal. I would not worry about the quality as long as it is received in the respective company's own blister packs.

I am as much a deal hunter as anyone here but I would rather not take from my local Vet knowing he is operating a business and wants to make a profit just as I. Animal medicine is still an incredible bargain in comparison to human medicine and when given the choice of taking a profit from the local Vet or getting the $500 television from BestBuy, I would rather take from BestBuy knowing that they are only in business to scam their customers.

😉🙂
 


<< I am as much a deal hunter as anyone here but I would rather not take from my local Vet knowing he is operating a business and wants to make a profit just as I. Animal medicine is still an incredible bargain in comparison to human medicine and when given the choice of taking a profit from the local Vet or getting the $500 television from BestBuy, I would rather take from BestBuy knowing that they are only in business to scam their customers.
>>



Depends what you consider an incredible bargain. I don't consider $75 for 6 pills a bargain compared to paying no more than $5 for generic or $20 for non-generic human medicine. But insurance is a wonderful thing. I've paid way more for my dog's care in the last two years than I have for both my wife and I. When I see the prices of drugs at my vet, I feel like he's trying to rip me off. It's not enough that I pay him big bucks for the visit to begin with. It's like car dealers. Would you rather support the local guy and pay an extra couple thousand bucks, or drive to the big city an hour away where there's more competition and have that couple thousand in your pocket?

I don't believe the quality issues with the animal medicine. Until I see some kind of proof, I'll continue to believe that the online stores don't have the markup because they're trying to get business, and the local vet has an incredible markup because they feel they have a monopoly on the stuff.
 


I am not sure what you are referring to by quality. I am not saying that all of the products that they sell are not the same quality that are sold at Veterinary clinics. I honestly don't want to convince you to buy from your veterinarian. I just was passing on information that I receive from pharmaceutical representatives and the statement that they will NOT stand behind their product when sold via online pharmacies.

Like I said before, I am very cheap and I do cut a lot of corners but knowing what I know about the situation, I would prefer to pay a few extra dollars getting it directly from my Veterinarian. A lot of it is how you view your pet: just a dog/cat or a more like a child (as I do). Most people will go for the piece of mind every time. I would encourage you to contact each of the pharmaceutical companies and ask about the practices of internet pharmacies and their policy of product guarantee when sold at these places. They are better informed than I.

cappsa: Add up how much you pay monthly in health insurance for you and your wife and multiply that by 24, then add the out of pocket expenses you have paid for medical services/medications. Now pull out the bills from your Veterinarian. Are you still paying more for your pet? If so, that is one sick animal! 😀

Also, I agree that they markup less than most Veterinarians and I agree that most of the products sold from them are probably OK. I just would use caution when buying from them and realize that there are disadvantages in going that route. Veterinarians are just like anybody that has a business. We would love to earn enough money to provide a good lifestyle for our families. We, however, did not go to Vet School to be rich. We would have chosen human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, etc. It would have been a lot easier road as far as education goes and income. However, I would never change the path that I have taken because of the passion I have for what I do. It is the best profession there is if making a ton of money is not an object. Just my humble 2 cents!
 
Personally, my local vet runs a bait and switch, charges $50 for Advantage that should be $30, and generally tries to push as many services on you as he can. Volume.

So no guilt on this end. Back to the real question. Where's the cheapest advantage on the net?
Thanks.
 
Kind of on the same topic, I get my yearly 7-in-1 shot for my dog at Quality Farm and Fleet for about $3 out of the animal med fridge there. My vet WOULD charge I believe $30 to give the same thing. I inject it in the loose skin on the top of the neck, and my dog never even yelps. Highly recommended!!
 
The two medicines I give my dog everyday I get from the drug store. Don't forget that many animal medicines are the same that humans take. An added bonus is some medicines in pill form can be halved, i.e. 20mg split to 10 mg, and you can save that way. Don't forget to order in quantity also, ask the vet to write 90 tabs instead of 30. The more you buy, the cheaper it gets. My vet gladly writes prescriptions to be filled at our local drug store, and it ended up to be cheaper than I could find online! Kind of shoots the "don't know where the drugs come from" arguement in the foot, eh? People don't get their pet meds filled at the drugstore more often because a vet will not tell you this unless you ask, including the vet responding here.

And, no, I am not talking about flea and tick, or heartworm meds!
 

Sesopedalian: I believe we were only referring to flea/tick and heartworm preventatives. I know I was only referring to Veterinary specific medications. We stock very few nonveterinary medications because it is easier to write an Rx for it than to keep it in stock. In fact, I can't think of a medication that we keep in stock for chronic use (e.g. arthritis, heart medication, etc.) that you can get cheaper at the local pharmacy. Very little of my clinic's income is from pharmaceutical sales. We focus on Veterinary services (i.e. surgery/internal medicine etc.).

What medication are you referring to anyways?(If you don't mind me asking).
 
Furosemide and Enalapril. I would guess you keep both of these common medications in stock. I take this thread to be about finding pet medicines cheaper, and not just these two, or heatworm and flea and tick. I would guess that very, very, few medicines were originally discovered or formulated for use strictly for animals, they benefit from research to find new or better human medications. Take Frontline, for instance. Isn't the active ingredient just an insecticide originally used for other purposes? But that's really not my point. It is just for people to check for a human equivalent of their pet's medications that can be obtained from their local drug store cheaper than online or a Vet's office.
 
I think that is a great point. You should check around and see if there is great difference in price. Furosemide is dirt cheap and elalapril is generic now. Actually, for the elalapril,our price is exactly the same or maybe even a little cheaper than the local pharmacy across the street. Of course YMMV with each clinic. I don't think any Veterinarian would have a problem writing an Rx in that situation (they shouldn't). You need to understand as a Veterinarian, our job is to provide diagnosis and treatment for animals so they have the best quality of life possible - not to try to make a quick buck. You do make some good points. Good luck to you.
 
My dog is on Etogesic 300mg and my vet sells it for $2.00 a pill. I was able to buy them online for $60.00 for a bottle of 100 from Omahavaccine.com. It had the original label on it from the drug manufacturer and it was the same exact pill that the Vet had given to me. I compared them side by side, including the letters that were printed on the pill. My Vet gave me a hard time about it, and charged me $25.00 for the prescription that he had to write me. I ordered 2 bottles and it came to $117.00 shipped and the $25.00 Vet fee, came to a total of $142.00 compared to the $400.00 that I would have had to pay to the Vet. Would I do it again, in a heartbeat. I would not buy from Petmeds though, there was just an article in my local paper (Providence Journal) regarding this very debate and they claim that Petmeds gets alot of their meds overseas and had to settle a claim due to their misrepresentation of that fact. Just my opinion on the matter.
 
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