Vet wants a consultation before issuing Advantage Flea Treatment for Cats

WASHER

I have used Frontline for years from an online pet supplies, however this year I'm finding one of my cats still has a few fleas even after she has been Frontlined.

I telephoned the vets to ask if I could have advantage on prescription for the two cats and the rabbit, the nurse told me I would have to bring all the animals in for a consultation at £24 each animal.:eek:

I would appreciate other views on this, does your vet insist on a consultation before issuing flea treatment, I can perfectly understand a consultation is they are unwell or had a severe dose of fleas but this is not the case.

WASHER.x.

bagginslover

Would you want your doctor to prescribe medication for you over the phone,not having seen you? This is the same. I would have thought you could get a reduction in the consult fee as you'll (I imagine) be taking them together,but you can't expect a new prescription without having first being seen. Thats not what you wanted to hear is it,sorry.

WASHER

Of course I wouldn't want the GP to issue me a prescription for Antibotics without seeing me first, but this is for flea treatment/prevention, I can fully understand if my cats/rabbits were unwell, I wouldn't hesitate to pay the consultation fee but for flea prevention.....

I have ordered more Frontline today from a different supplier, I just will not pay a consultation fee for the cats for flea preventation, no option as I know of with the rabbit, I haven't found any flea treatment other than Advantage suitable for rabbits.

I appreciate its a prescription only treatment but how on earth can the vet justify £24 each animal for a consultation fee to issue a prescription and a quick check over and no reduction in cost for more than one pet either.....

snowman2_2

WASHER wrote: »

I appreciate its a prescription only treatment but how on earth can the vet justify £24 each animal for a consultation fee to issue a prescription and a quick check over and no reduction in cost for more than one pet either.....

You answered your own question - it is a prescription-only medication and their are certain legal formalities that have to be observed before writing a prescription. When the authorities decide it can be bought over the counter then fair enough but until then your vet has to take the same steps as a heart medication or antibiotics. Not your vet's fault but you still took up a full appointment slot, hence the charge. Vets have been encouraged by government in recent years to charge for our time, and not make such a profit on drugs. The best time to ask is when you are in for a booster vaccination.

Nod_Off

If the animals hadn't been seen in the past year then legally they do have to be seen as it's a prescription product. However, charging a full consult per animal is ridiculous - at the vets I worked at, our nurses carried out 'flea checks' in their clinics for about £2.50 and if the clients couldn't make the nurse clinic and had to see a vet instead, they charged a half price consultation fee.

Pauper1

I don't really have an answer as to the vet cost problem - but the Frontline spot on isn't prescription only, it is classed as 'NFA-VPS (Non Food Animal - Veterinarian, SQP or Pharmacist). This means you don't need a prescription to buy it, it just needs to be sold by a qualified person. Therefore you shouldn't have to have a consultation.

(I just re-read a few posts down, and the above doesn't apply, cos you're after Advantage - sorry, read too quick!!!!)


However, with regards to them still having fleas after having been flead - are you treating the house as well as the animals? With a flea spray, like RIP or Indorex?

WASHER

Nod_Off wrote: »

If the animals hadn't been seen in the past year then legally they do have to be seen as it's a prescription product. However, charging a full consult per animal is ridiculous - at the vets I worked at, our nurses carried out 'flea checks' in their clinics for about £2.50 and if the clients couldn't make the nurse clinic and had to see a vet instead, they charged a half price consultation fee.

Both of my girls (cats) were spayed within the past 12 months, they had the booster vaccination 11 months ago.

Like I said in my previous post I would not hesitate to pay £24 per animal if they were unwell, but I can't understand how they can justify the cost per animal, and I probably won't get X 3 consultation time for the 3 of them.

Unfair and excess charges spring to mind.....I see from the internet Advantage is available in the US without prescription, maybe it will be available here soon.

WASHER.x.

VfM4meplse

Vets are professionals and take the medico-legal responsibility for any animal they treat. It would be unethical to prescribe w/o having had the opportunity to make a diagnosis, just as it would be for a GP to prescribe for a human.

cjmumto2

As their booster is next month, I would just wait until then to get it. YOu can also buy online once you have the prescription for much cheaper than the vets, they may charge for the prescription but usually still works out cheaper online