Dog Medication Prices ?

[J4CKO]

Our vet diagnosed our dog with the early stages of heart failure (small 12 year old terrier/poodle) so suggested a scan and then after the scan suggested putting him on a heart medication called Vetmedin, 5 mg, split into two doses 12 hours apart. Said get him on it early as it is borderline/asymptomatic and it staves off the degeneration and once there are symptoms its too late.

£140 for a scan and charged £50 for 30 tablets, which is £1.66 per tablet.

I thought I would have a look online to know what's been given, understand any potential side effects to watch for etc and the first link that comes up is this,

https://www.365vet.co.uk/vet023-vetmedin-capsules-...

42p a tablet, so they are charging £1.24 more for the same thing, if it were a short course and/or a bit more expensive I wouldn't bother as they need to turn a profit and that is one of the ways they do it but its nearly four times as much and he will be on it for as long as he lasts.

Am I completely at liberty to buy from an online supplier ? it feels a bit disloyal as we have had pretty good service for 20 plus years but its the difference between £50 a month and £20 or so for potentially another couple of years, who knows. Just seems a bit too over the odds.

[J4CKO]

Nothing against the vets making a decent living, years of training and large overheads to run a surgery in terms of equipment, admin staff, equipments etc but if I can save a few quid I will.

£20 a month is more palatable than £50, plus you still have the Yumove as someone mentioned, then the flea and worm treatment, boosters etc.

Can afford it but still want to get best value where I can.

[J4CKO]

loskie said:

or compare a vet to a GP.

GP paid 85k plus a vet ( non partner) paid what 30 to 40k?

Probably a lot harder being a vet.

Or maybe those moaning about costs should think twice before owning a pet if they cannot afford it or do not want to pay such costs.

So, just tip up whatever they say ? If they decide to charge me three grand to send the dog to a specialist, just grin and bear it ?

I wouldn't mind if they were charging a bit more, but its potentially three times the price.

I can afford it, but like every transaction I make, I look at what I am being charged and if it is more expensive then I buy it elsewhere.

I could just pay it but I could use that money for something else, the vets have been paid £280 from me recently so have done ok.

[J4CKO]

Driver101 said:

loskie said:

J4CKO said:

loskie said:

or compare a vet to a GP.

GP paid 85k plus a vet ( non partner) paid what 30 to 40k?

Probably a lot harder being a vet.

Or maybe those moaning about costs should think twice before owning a pet if they cannot afford it or do not want to pay such costs.

So, just tip up whatever they say ? If they decide to charge me three grand to send the dog to a specialist, just grin and bear it ?

I wouldn't mind if they were charging a bit more, but its potentially three times the price.

I can afford it, but like every transaction I make, I look at what I am being charged and if it is more expensive then I buy it elsewhere.

just have the dog put down then if you cannot justify the costs.

Anyone should be aware about sourcing vet meds online, yes there are many genuine suppliers out there but there are fake vet meds in circulation too.

I could just pay it but I could use that money for something else, the vets have been paid £280 from me recently so have done ok.

You've messed up the quotes.

What makes you so bitter about this?

Just have the dog out down? What even post ste like that?

Fake medicine? It's not the dark web you have order from to be paying 1/4-1/5 of the price. They are well known and respected companies.

The vets charge well for their time. There is no justification paying their high fees for their services, then paying extortionate rates for continuous medication when you're getting nothing else for it. It's two separate transactions.

That indeed was a bit dramatic, get the dog put down as the vets are a bit pricey for the meds compared to online

Imagine that conversation with the vet, "Why would you like me to euthanise this otherwise relatively healthy, if slightly older dog"

"Well, your pricing structure for his medication leaves me little other option"


I dont buy contact lenses from the optician either, I dont always get my car serviced at the main agents.

Thing is, if it was a bit more expensive I would just pay it, just seems so much more, I have no issue with someone making a decent living.



Dog is lying here in front of the Dog Burner, sorry Log Burner, he doesnt give a toss unless there is food in it, he is listening for me closing my laptop or spelling D O G and/or W A L K,

Or if I say to the wife "I think I will take the, er....."

"Cat for a Swim"

"No, I mean the Dog for a Walk", goes from asleep to stood on my chest in less than three seconds.

[J4CKO]

loskie said:

It's fantastic isn't it? Like an on off switch.

What is ?

I rang the vets and explained, they just said its fine, will do a prescription, which is £12 and is ready to collect tomorrow and I can then order from whoever I like.

[J4CKO]

Got the prescription and have ordered 5 months of medication for £63 delivered, so £75 with the prescription vs £250 from the vets, I explained my thoughts when I went to get the prescription and they are absolutely fine with it and understand and as one of the Vet posters said they cant buy it at those prices anyway. A saving of £175

So five months then he goes back for his next Scan.

He isn't bothered, still walks 2/3 miles a day quite happily, still very lively (occasionally) and is sat with me dozing.