Annoyed.

[Mojocvh]

OK puppy [ok a 7 yr old one] has a bit of conjunctivitis in an eye, so despite bathing in in cooled sterile water, it's not improving.

So called the vet up first thing and asked if I can have some antibiotic eye drops for him, yes. OK how much is that? £11.20 BUT you'll have to bring him in for an examination, OH how much is that? £22.50 plus £11.50 for drops.

I pointed out that I'm unemployed and [contrary to common belief on PH I have not had a new 50" plasma this week of the state] really cannot afford that sort of outlay at the present time from my meagre private pension, I'd rather just have the drops thank you.

Nope, not only do they "want to see him" but "these eye conditions can deteriorate rapidly".

YES, I know that. I was operationally first aid trained many lives ago, that's why I want the drops you emotionally blackmailing tt.

Sorry but when said tt puts a front on and stops my "best mate" getting the medicine he needs [through escalating the price beyond that which I can afford right now] I kinda feel like going a bit "lofty" on them, know what I mean?

Mo.

[Chris Type R]

Probably trying to protect themselves from liability.

[M888SXY]

Are eye drops for people the same, which can be bought over the counter.

[Thevet]

I appreciate your annoyance and concern, but we are not allowed to dispense medicines for animals that we have not seen for a particular condition. It's the rules, and it is not worth me losing my ability to work as a vet for someone who doesn't want to get an eye condition checked out. It may well be that it is only a mild conjuntivitis, but what if it was a corneal ulcer, which as a trained medical person, you will understand that needs different treatment to conjuntivitis, and checking to see that it has responded rather than worsened. If you know how to use fluorescein, then you can do this yourself, or you can get some drops from the chemist but they will be very mild cleaning type stuff as they are also not allowed to dispense POMs when there is a prescription.
Sorry, but these rules have been driven by consumer pressure to get wider supply of medicines for animals, and consequently there are tighter controls. If you want more specific advice, phmail me.

[Skaffen]

Maybe google about Chloramphenicol Eye Drops and dogs. Intended-for-human versions of the drops will be commonly available from pharmacies [e.g. Optrex Infected Eyes] and cheap generics online and I believe it's over-the-counter; the intended-for-pet versions are prescription-only.

I would still say a vet would be best placed to actually assess what would be best to use and the safest course of action - as TheVet says there's always the chance there could be more to the condition and vets do need to cover themselves hence the need for an examination.

Having said that, I have to say with my cats I have found it frustrating that a few of the things which would just be off-the-shelf or OTC for humans are prescription-only for pets. With OTC stuff I appreciate the flip side that you would nominally speak to a pharmacist before they let you have it (although the conversations are usually pretty content-free) and there aren't pet pharmacists and pets can't talk about how they're feeling (pain, nausea, etc). And also possibly most people would be a bit careless with how they apply the stuff to their pet and how they monitor the results.

[Jasandjules]

1. Have you considered the PDSA?
2. The vet is bound by law IIRC to not dispense drugs to an animal they have not examined (or if it's something like a repeat of drugs for a long term condition, have not examined within the last 6 months)..
3. Have you tried anything herbal to treat? If not, I can ask the OH what she uses.

[Mojocvh]

Thevet said:

I appreciate your annoyance and concern, but we are not allowed to dispense medicines for animals that we have not seen for a particular condition. It's the rules, and it is not worth me losing my ability to work as a vet for someone who doesn't want to get an eye condition checked out. It may well be that it is only a mild conjuntivitis, but what if it was a corneal ulcer, which as a trained medical person, you will understand that needs different treatment to conjuntivitis, and checking to see that it has responded rather than worsened. If you know how to use fluorescein, then you can do this yourself, or you can get some drops from the chemist but they will be very mild cleaning type stuff as they are also not allowed to dispense POMs when there is a prescription.
Sorry, but these rules have been driven by consumer pressure to get wider supply of medicines for animals, and consequently there are tighter controls. If you want more specific advice, phmail me.

Thanks for that offer, much appreciated.

I DO understand the position on the LAW and it's ramifications for vets, it's just a combination of

1. Bloody annoying
2. Frustration at my own situation at present
3. Somewhat of a personality clash [over the phone??], honestly, I normally don't bite, but this guy succeeded this morning.

thanks again,

Mo.

[Thevet]

Change vet if you can't abide your one.....as long as it's not my practice. Still advise get eyes checked before jumping for non-specific or OTC stuff.

[rovermorris999]

Is there a Blue Cross clinic near you? They'll only ask you to give what you can afford.

[mr2mk1chick]

frustrasting, but its like asking your doc to give you prescription only meds without seeing you - it dosent happen.
Also as the vet reply has said, you need to check that the conjunctivitis has not caused any ulceration etc.
sometimes pet expenses come at the worst times, but you have to scrimp on other things and get the pets seen.