As a pet owner, you play an important role in protecting your pet’s health. By ensuring that you are educated about your pet’s health and wellness and have a clear understanding of which prescribed medication works best for your animals, you will be well equipped to keep your beloved pet healthy.
Because pet medications can be extremely costly, it is not uncommon for pet owners to face financial challenges in order to meet their pet’s healthcare needs. Fortunately, pet medications can now be purchased for savings of up to 80 percent at your local retail pharmacies, including Walmart and Costco. Outlined below are three simple steps to help you jump start your savings, as well as important questions that you should ask your vet and neighborhood retail pharmacist.
Three Simple Steps to Save
During your next vet appointment, ask for your pet’s prescription
Take the prescription to your local retail pharmacy to be filled
Save BIG on vet grade quality medications
Questions to Ask Your Vet:
Why have you prescribed this medication to my pet and how long will he/she have to take it?
There may be a variety of reasons your vet is prescribing your pet medication. Make sure you have a full understanding of what his/her ailment is, and how the medication will help them. The length of time your pet needs to take the medication will vary based on their situation, so make sure to ask your vet during the consultation.
Will my pet experience any side-effects from the medications?
Before your pet’s appointment, prepare a list of all the vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter medications that your pet is currently taking and ask your vet about any adverse reactions you might expect.
Would you please print out or type my prescription to help prevent potential dosage errors?
Prescriptions help pharmacies provide the correct dosage for dogs just like they do with humans, so it’s perfectly okay to ask to ensure accuracy and your pet’s overall health.
Can you recommend a generic equivalent or human version of this drug to help me save money?
If the answer is yes, ask your vet for a prescription and take it to your local pharmacy.
Can you provide a manufacturer’s coupon?
If not, check out the drug manufacturers’ website for potential cost saving coupons online.
Is there a way to reach you after business hours if I need assistance?
This will ensure you have access to your veterinarian’s medical expertise, should you experience any problems administering the medications on your own after the clinic is closed.
Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist:
Is it possible to flavor this particular medication?
When you drop off the prescription, ask if the pharmacist can flavor the medication with chicken, liver or beef flavor to make the taste more palatable to your pet and administering easier for you.
When you pick up the prescription, confirm the following with the pharmacist:
Would you please make sure I have the correct drug?
Is the dosage is exactly what my vet prescribed?
Are there any special considerations I need to know, or any specific medical supplies like syringes, I need to administer this medicine to my pet?
How should this medication be stored?
How often should I give it my pet?
What would you recommend if my pet gets sick taking this medicine?
Are you aware of any problems associated with this drug?
If you receive conflicting information from what your vet has recommended, be sure to call your vet before administering the drug to your pet to ensure you have the proper dosage and directions.
What is the difference between brand name and generic medication?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regulates generic drugs just like the brand name drug and must meet the same stringent standards to ensure safety and efficacy for their intended uses. Most states require generic substitution by law, unless otherwise specified by the patient or physician. In addition, many generic medications are available at a fraction of the price.
When can I expect to see results?
If your pet should react to a medication quickly and doesn’t, you need to know that so you can check back in with your vet. Even if your pet seems “cured,” you should continue to give the medication for as long as it was prescribed. If that doesn’t seem reasonable call your veterinarian and discuss before you stop giving medications as prescribed.
What if I miss a dose?
Missing a dose is common. If this occurs do not double-up on a dose the next day. Instead just wait until it’s time to give the next dose, and stay on schedule from that point on. This is not always the case with all medications, so make sure to ask your pharmacist.
