After my pet had a long, drawn-out battle with cancer, I realized that I needed to do a better job with understanding my pet's needs. I wanted to be there for them no matter what, so I started focusing on my other animals. They needed more love, attention, and medical care, so I focused on those things. I started taking them in for regular checkups and working on their physical appearance. I was able to spot a few other potentially catastrophic health conditions with my animals because of my actions. This blog is all about understanding your pet's needs.
Understanding Your Pet's Needs
Simple Tips For Safely Ordering Pet Meds Online
Gisele Pereira
Are you thinking about purchasing your pet's medications online? People have been using online pharmacies for years, so why shouldn't your pet enjoy the same level of convenience? Pet medications tend to be more affordable online, but there are some steps you should take to make sure that you're keeping your pet safe.
Get a Prescription for Medication First
Don't just order what you've ordered before. Some medications, such as heartworm medications, require testing before they're given to make sure that the animal doesn't have the disease in question. Many online pharmacies even require that you have a prescription in hand before you order the meds.
Make Sure You Have Your Pet's Accurate Weight
Many pet medications are sold by weight, such as flea and tick medications. It's important that you have an accurate weight for your pet, which you can get from your veterinarian. Dogs, cats, and other common pets can have their weight fluctuate fairly frequently, and even a small difference in a lightweight animal could mean the difference between a dose and an overdose.
Try to Use a Domestic Pharmacy
Pharmacies in other countries often use different measurement systems (such as metric vs. imperial) and may include different ingredients within their medications. It's usually best to stick with a domestic pharmacy to make sure that you're getting the exact medications that you need. Foreign pharmacies may also encounter additional issues, such as particularly long shipping times or potentially being held up in customs.
Check the Expiration Date
When you do receive your pet's prescription, don't forget to check the prescription date. Because these medications are being warehoused, it is possible that an older batch may slip through. If it's close to the expiration date, don't worry; it just needs to be used before that date passes.
Look Up Reviews First
Just like any online store, you still need to make sure that the store you're using is reputable. With pharmacies, one of the best ways to check on this is to look up reviews. Reviews will tell you whether customers encountered any common problems, such as slower shipping speeds or incorrect orders.
When in doubt, don't hesitate to ask your vet. Your vet will likely be able to tell you whether an online pharmacy appears to be reputable and whether there are any particular concerns with the medication that you're purchasing.
For more information, contact a professional like those at Foothills Animal Hospital.
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