Ordering online versus through the vet

[Calliesmom]

I ordered Sentinel recently from Dr Foster and Smith- my vet doesn't have it in stock yet so had no problems with sending the prescription in.
the clinic has also price matched for me in the past.......

 

[Jess041]

I ordered Sentinel recently from Dr Foster and Smith- my vet doesn't have it in stock yet so had no problems with sending the prescription in.
the clinic has also price matched for me in the past.......

The first time I ordered from Drs Foster and Smith it was because I like Revolution for the cats because it's alcohol based and doesn't leave the oily residue, and my vet didn't carry it.

 

[Lightplum]

mine doesnt even charge for what they charge office clients...they open up Dr fosters and smith catalog and charge me that price.. Although I only use heartworm medication...but still with 8 dogs it is expensive enough!!

 

[melbell]

mine doesnt even charge for what they charge office clients...they open up Dr fosters and smith catalog and charge me that price.. Although I only use heartworm medication...but still with 8 dogs it is expensive enough!!

you're lucky. Though I couldn't imagine paying that much for 8 dogs. Unfortunately in NC they believe year long protection on both tics and heart worm. If I was in PA I wouldn't be using either... oh the irony. Can't wait til I move back in 2 yrs. I found out through my vet appointment that trifexis 6 months is 113.50 and a year would be 227. So not even a discount for buying in bulk, but you get a mini discount by not buying each pill separately. That being said though, they had a sign up saying starting Oct. 1st prices will be increasing on surgeries and most products but the girl couldn't tell me if Trifexis is included in that since they still don't know which ones will be. They did however say I could just get 1 yr supply and use it for both Ruutu and Honey for 6 months with no issues. So I might go that route since I could do the $25 rebate from Trifexis versus $20 if I got them both their own 6 months. If only I had $500 just laying around I'd get them both a year supply and call it a day... where's my money tree

 

[Jess041]

I don't think the rebate for Trifexis is worth it. Why? Fine print-

"I am agreeing to receive communications about companion animal products from Elanco. I understand that the information I am providing may be used by Eli Lilly and Company (Elanco) and its business partners to provide me with information about special offers, parasite protection and other animal health conditions and products, and to contact me to see if I'd like to participate in product research activities, and to learn about and develop products and services concerning parasite protection. By submitting this form, I indicate my consent to these uses. I understand that I may request to be removed from this list by writing to Elanco at the following address: Elanco, P.O. Box 29310, Shawnee Mission, KS 66201."

Yes you can be removed by sending them something, but I would rather just not get the stupid rebate. You're basically consenting to junk mail and then you have to mail a request to get them to stop? Ugh..

 

[JLSOhio51]

I have found this conversation very enlightening, particularly since I am researching potential vets right now. (I have settled on one vet in each of the two communities that I currently occupy, but now I have a few other questions I need answered.)

Quite frankly, I found nothing wrong with the quote below, attributed to a vet who services one of our SN members. As a businessman, these all seem like logical concerns:

If we filled these prescriptions we would receive:
- NO compensation for staff time to pull the client/patient records
- NO compensation for veterinarian to review and to approve the prescription.
- NO compensation for veterinarian to write the prescription and record the information in patient chart.
- NO compensation for staff time to re-file charts.
- NO release from any liability if a problem arises.

But, all that being said, if my vet provides Rx writing services at no cost (or low cost) to me, it would go a long way toward my remaining his/her client. It would be a further signal to me that my dog and I are a paramount concern for that practice. My vet's practice should be as concerned as I am with providing the best, most cost effective care possible for my companion.

 

[melbell]

I don't think the rebate for Trifexis is worth it. Why? Fine print-

"I am agreeing to receive communications about companion animal products from Elanco. I understand that the information I am providing may be used by Eli Lilly and Company (Elanco) and its business partners to provide me with information about special offers, parasite protection and other animal health conditions and products, and to contact me to see if I'd like to participate in product research activities, and to learn about and develop products and services concerning parasite protection. By submitting this form, I indicate my consent to these uses. I understand that I may request to be removed from this list by writing to Elanco at the following address: Elanco, P.O. Box 29310, Shawnee Mission, KS 66201."

Yes you can be removed by sending them something, but I would rather just not get the stupid rebate. You're basically consenting to junk mail and then you have to mail a request to get them to stop? Ugh..

See I'm one of those people, I'm perfectly fine with junk mail I just pitch it and call it a day. But also a good point to point out.

 

[melbell]

I have found this conversation very enlightening, particularly since I am researching potential vets right now. (I have settled on one vet in each of the two communities that I currently occupy, but now I have a few other questions I need answered.)

Quite frankly, I found nothing wrong with the quote below, attributed to a vet who services one of our SN members. As a businessman, these all seem like logical concerns:



But, all that being said, if my vet provides Rx writing services at no cost (or low cost) to me, it would go a long way toward my remaining his/her client. It would be a further signal to me that my dog and I are a paramount concern for that practice. My vet's practice should be as concerned as I am with providing the best, most cost effective care possible for my companion.

Agreed. I perfectly understand where they are coming from, but from my wallet it still hurts. I love my vets and wouldn't go anywhere else... nor really could I unless I want to drive an hour away when something is wrong with them. I already have to for emergency vets, I don't think I would want that way for an actual vets. /sigh I miss PA... I have three vets at my disposal there

 

[JLSOhio51]

... I love my vets and wouldn't go anywhere else... nor really could I unless I want to drive an hour away when something is wrong with them...

My relationship with service providers (even medical providers) is a love-hate relationship for both of us. I research everything... I question everything... And I ask a bunch of questions!!! What I expect (the most), is for the provider to be honest and straightforward (not necessarily infallible or mistake free). My last vet (who was a friend's brother) was blunt, short and almost overly direct. But, everything he did was done with the best interest of the animal in mind. It was so long ago, that Rx faxing and emailing never came up. If it wasn't for the fact that he is old a sold his practice, the Indiana part of my vet search would not have been necessary.

 

[Ann]

I fully understand that my vet has a staff to pay, overhead, etc. And I think the world of my vet and wouldn't go anywhere else for treatment. However, I do resent it when I am taken advantage of. I recently got packets of Panacur wormer, purchased from my vet since they recommended it, and paid (are you ready?) more than 3 times what I could have gotten it for on Amazon! IMO that's highway robbery. And with four dogs, I spend a big chunk of money there so it's not like they don't see me for something once a month.

For that reason, I have no problem asking for a prescription if I can get something cheaper online. My vet's routine is that you have to pick it up in person though. (I live 40 minutes away.) They don't make it easy.