Pet Medications - Should You Purchase Online?

If your dog has a medical condition and you think that you know what the problem is, you may be tempted by the discount pet medicines offered on the internet since medications purchased from your vet can be expensive. But, you may hesitate because you are not sure that these medications are safe for your pet or that you know what your pet needs.

If your pet has a complicated medical history, then a visit to the vet is in order. Medications can have have different effects or require different dosages if your dog has a condition such as kidney disease. Also, if your pet is already on medication, mixing that medication with a new medication could lead to disaster. You need your vet's expertise in knowing which drugs can be safely given together.

In order to determine the correct dosage, you will need to know your pet's weight. It may be difficult for you to get a weight on your dog if you don't have a special scale like is available in the vet's office. If you guess and are off on the correct weight, you could render the medication ineffective or worse, give your dog an overdose of the drug.

If you have been using a particular product for your pet long term such as flea control or heartworm, you may feel comfortable ordering from the internet. But some drugs require the levels in your pet's blood to be monitored, so having a vet prescribe these drugs would be best so you can ensure your pet receives the proper dosage.

If you take your pet to the vet and a medication is prescribed, ask the vet if there are lower cost-alternatives. Some human medications are used for pets and are cheaper at your local pharmacy than buying through the veterinary. Some vets will write you a prescription to take to your drug store to have filled.

The first time that your pet takes a medication, it is probably best to purchase it from your vet in case there are problems. If your pet is to be on a medication long-term that is available over the internet, then you may want to consider buying online if you are comfortable with that.

If you do choose to buy online, be sure to buy from a reputable company. As is the case with human drugs, some companies sell drugs that aren't in the correct formulation or that are entirely not the drug that you think you are purchasing.

Purchasing pet medications can be an alternative if you have already consulted with a veterinarian and know what is wrong with your pet. Trying to diagnosis dog medical conditions on your own is risky and not worth the few dollars saved.