Vet Charges

lcmkpp

Hi

Just wondering if its true. My dog is on a prescription medication and I have been informed that I cant get any further medication until she has been to the vet again, I live in Scotland and Ive been told that its new regulations, since she is on this medication that she has to be seen by a vet every 3 months and if she is not she cant get the medication!

EmptyPockets

If a vet has told you this, why would you think they are lying..?

It is, as far as I know, common practice, and for very good reason. The animal must be checked over regularly to make sure there have been no changes to their health since the last visit. Certain medications can have side-effects that need to be monitored and, if needs be, a change to the meds may be required.

Our dog was on Metacam for quite some time, and she had to be seen for a general check-up every three months before they would continue giving us prescriptions. She was never very happy about it, mind

Charlie1986

My dog is on epiphen and needs a check up every 3 months and blood tests every 6 months to make sure everything is ok.

There_Goes_Trouble

EmptyPockets wrote: »

It is, as far as I know, common practice, and for very good reason. The animal must be checked over regularly to make sure there have been no changes to their health since the last visit. Certain medications can have side-effects that need to be monitored and, if needs be, a change to the meds may be required.

I believe that it's not even common practice, but a legal requirement. Everything else EP says here is 100% correct.

Catslovelycats

My cat with hyperthyroidism has to have check-ups before the vet is allowed to repeat her subscription

picklepick

As a human (as far as i know) i have to see my GP every 3 months for a repeat prescription, so the same must be true for pets. Drugs can have side effects which need to be monitored, as does any change in a condition.

DogsBody

As far as I was aware, the legal requirement is for 6 monthly checks for repeat prescriptions, but this may have changed - will check if I remember. However, the 3 monthly check rule is in place for reasons as already stated by EP and TGT, but this was not a legal requirement last time I checked, rather a clinical one.

*wanders off scratching head*

OK, on checking, the legislation appears not to have changed (The Medicines (Veterinary Drugs)(Prescription Only) Orders 1989 - 2001). That said, I'd be happy to go in every 3 months (or more often) for some conditions, but not so for others. My own vet has a poster up giving a six month max.
PS 'controlled' drugs cannot be repeat prescribed without an examination every time, so I'm guessing this must apply to the OP

Soubrette

How long does the prescription that they give last? One month? Three months?

elsien

Mutt has to go every 6 months for a once over before they'll give any more, presumably to make sure she's still on the right dosage and the meds are still suiting her. She gets prescriptions for 2 months as a rule, but they'll keep giving repeats till the 6 months is up.

I do understand the reasons behind it although I hadn't realised it was a legal requirement, but I have to be honest in this specific case as she's been on the same stuff for years and it's up to me to increase or decrease as I feel necessary, the visits do sometimes feel like a bit of a token gesture for all concerned.

snowman2_2

DogsBody wrote: »

OK, on checking, the legislation appears not to have changed (The Medicines (Veterinary Drugs)(Prescription Only) Orders 1989 - 2001).

That legislation is now outdated and it is the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2009 that currently apply. This is updated each October but for some reason the 2010 rules have been delayed and 2009 continues (I guess the change in government and lack of money at DEFRA).

There is no specific time in the legislation and AFAIK, it has not been tested in law yet. Most vets are working on 3 - 6 months depending on the drug. I would check heart patients every 3 months, chemo patients at least monthly but medication for a weak bladder can probably go 6 months. A prescription can be given only for the interval between these check ups at most and if your pet needs a check up, we would tell you when you rang up / came in. If a vet breaks these rules, it is potentially a criminal offence and I for one dont want to take that chance:D

lcmkpp

Thanks for all your replies. Her medication is as and when required not on a daily basis so Ive not seen the vet for about 7 months but I had never heard of regular visits before and the same for her other dog friend that are on presciption medication they do not go regularly. But at least I dont mind taking her as its for her own good.

Regards