Online Pharmacy Approval Delay = Wasting Valuable Time

My vet gave me two prescriptions for my cat and said I could get them filled at an online pharmacy such as Drs. Foster and Smith. They said to order the prescriptions and select the option to have the pharmacy contact them. This is the second time I've ordered from them and it's taken approximately six days from the time the medicine is ordered until it's shipped. Then there's the actual shipping time to calculate in. So by the time I get the medicine (I figure a total of 10-14 days), it will be time to go back to the vet for a recheck. Except, what's the point since I haven't been able to administer the medications. So basically, I'm wasting valuable time ordering prescriptions online. So instead of going back 14 days later for a recheck, it will most likely be 28 days. Kind of stupid.

I'm not sure if I should complain to the vet or not. Even if I selected the express or overnight shipping, I'd still have a six to eight day wait (approval time + shipping time). And then the medicine would end up costing just as much if not more than what I'd pay at the vet's. So what's the point. It's stupid.

Does anyone else have these problems? I just don't know why the vet would want me to waste time like this. It didn't occur to me to ask if they had the medication there. They should at least have the antibiotic, although it would cost me twice as much. They didn't even say they had it, they just told me to order online. I'm feeling very frustrated.

K kh2b1
Sometimes you can get medicines filled at a regular pharmacy. Call and ask the vet for the medicine name and dose, then call a pharmacy to see if they have that med.

Also ask the vet if they have that med in house. They might just be following the way you normally get prescr way

We have used Wedgewood mail order but my vet called it in to them that day.

foxden said:

@kh2b1
Sometimes you can get medicines filled at a regular pharmacy. Call and ask the vet for the medicine name and dose, then call a pharmacy to see if they have that med.

Also ask the vet if they have that med in house. They might just be following the way you normally get prescr way

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It depends on the medicine. Most Human pharmacy won't have veterinary medicines like Revoution or Vetropolycin. The pharmacies inside WalMart and Target stores and a few others may have veterinary medicines available but it's best to call ahead to check if the medicine your pet needs is in stock.  If the vet has prescribed a Human medicine to be used off-label in cats like Flovent or Lantus insulin, then you can get these at any Human pharmarcy.

What medicine did your vet prescribe and tell you to order online? Some small vet offices and clinics may not have many prescription medicines on hand to sell to pet owners.

Clindamycin is one of the meds, which costs around $70 at local pharmacies. The vet's office has told me before it shouldn't cost that much, but it does. I got it from the vet last year, but this time it was not offered to me.

I forget the name of the other medicine, but it's a topical. It must be for animals only as I haven't found a human equivalent.

Now I'm wondering why they want me to use Clindamycin. The cat has been on another antibiotic for almost three weeks that I got from another vet (long story). I told them the other day at the appointment, but the vet seemed scatter-brained (again) that day. Ughh! I guess now I have to call them.

I'm starting to get annoyed with this vet. I didn't have these problems with him before he owned his own practice. Now he always seems way too busy to remember anything. There's another vet there, but I don't know what to make of her yet. Her style and approach is not what I'm used to. I haven't exactly been pleased with her either.

I'm assuming your cat has a bacterial infection then, or acne?

1-800-pet meds is pretty fast. Took three days from prescription to house.