Online presciptions for cats - advice please

Frugal_Fox

Hi,
My gran has just contacted me (via my mum) to see if I can help, and of course my first thought was to see if you could help

Her cat (who is about 16years old) is on Vidalta 15mg from her vet. My understanding is that this is for Hyperthyroid problems. Her cat has been on these before and is due to run out in two weeks time. Her vet will only issue these following a full examination and has quoted £150 - which I'm hoping included a fair few months supply of tablets.

Is there anyway I can get the cost down for her? The cat was a stray that befriended my late grandfather and has been a constant companion for my gran in the 14 years since my grandfather passed away.

Are there any internet sites that you recommend for supplying prescription medication for cats that are legit and that use proper medication? Or any other advice?

Thanks,
FF

PS - I have asked my mum to clarify exactly what was the £150 quote for

Ladyhawk

I use www.vetuk.com for my cats goodies... they are legit and really good.

durham_girl

You might get more replies on the Pets and Petcare board

Pollycat

FrugalFox
you probably would get more replies on the Pet board, but here's my opinion/experience:

My cat is on prescribed medication and when we were running out, we rang the vets to see if we could just have a repeat prescription but were told that we would need to take him to the vets before they'd give him the medication.
We tried on-line but as this medication is 'prescription-only' (as your Gran's cat's is) we couldn't order without a vet's prescription.

So Catch-22.

I've just googled 'Metacam' and came across this:

All prescription medicines require a signed prescription from your veterinarian that must be posted or faxed to us before the order will be dispatched.

So you could check how much the medication would cost on-line then ask the vet how much they'd charge for a consultation plus a prescription and see if it's any cheaper.

To be honest, £150 for a consultation and tablets seems very high, although I've checked one website and the 15mg Vidalta tablets are 51p EACH :eek: so a 6 month course at 1 tablet per day would cost £93.

Could Blue Cross or PDSA help?

Regards

madget_2

I do think that £150 seems an extremely expensive amount. However, please be careful with this situation. Hyperthyroidism does need to be monitored as levels do change and, therefore, the dosage may need adjusting. It is very important that the correct amount of medication be given.

How does the vet justify a cost of £150? Does this involve a blood test, or is it merely for a consultation and the tablets? One possibility might involve taking the cat for a veterinary consultation and getting a prescription, but then buying the tablets online, but tests can bump up the price (although they are necessary every now and then). Also, have you contacted other local veterinary surgeries to check on their pricing as it may be worth switching to another practice?

anguk

If your gran receives housing or council tax benefit she would qualify for the PDSA. You give a donation each time you take your pet to see them, as much as you can afford, they normally give you a receipt so you can actually see how much the treament has cost. Even if your gran donated the full amount it would probably work out cheaper than a private vet.
http://www.pdsa.org.uk/pdsa-vet-care/eligibility/

Frugal_Fox

Thank you all for your replies. My mum doesn't know what the £150 quoted was for exactly. Couldn't get hold of my grandmother today, but will speak with her tomorrow to try to work out what was said so we can decide the best way forward. Thanks again x

Sagz_2

You can get it here http://www.petdispensary.co.uk/vidalta-5301-0.html, but you'd need to get the prescription from your Vet first.
My Vet charges £15 per prescription (1 item per script) for 6 months worth of meds.

Nomad25

Have an old cat with heart and thyroid problems. Has regular vet check ups, but VETUK also get my vote as far as buying meds goes. Even adding cost of vet issuing repeat script, works out far more cost effective.