Cheapest dog prescriptions

[Dogaredabomb]

I wonder if anyone gets their dog's medication from anywhere other than the vets? My 10 year old jrt is permanently on one tablet per day of apoquel (allergies). He's been on them for about 3 years and they're not covered by his insurance.

I've been taking him to his vet (vets4pets) every six months for a repeat prescription without considering alternatives.

But, I'm having to very strenuously budget at the moment. Can I do this a cheaper way? He's very healthy other than this, he's had every test going (years ago) and I'm satisfied apoquel is the correct course of action.

Don’t know about this specific drug but we used to pay the vet for prescription and order ddogs insulin and other but from Animed. Was significantly cheaper.

It really varies, but having it dispensed by the vet is probably the most expensive option.

I have 2 dogs on different doses of Apoquel, but they are both covered on their insurance. I recently looked into it for 5.4mg and think it will cost about £130-£140 for 3 months. Dispensed by the vet is about £180.

Different pharmacies have different charges for the meds, so it pays to shop around. Take note of delivery charges and if VAT is included.

Also find out the how much your vet charges for a written prescription (inc. VAT) and for how long it will last. Ours is about £21 and can take up to 10 days to produce.

I think they are usually for 3 months for this type of medication. It might be possible for repeats on the script, but I'm not sure.

We get parasiticides (flea/tick) prescribed and they are 6 months, but controlled drugs such as anxiety medication are just 1 month, although we got 2 repeats, so 3 months worth of drugs on the one prescription.

I use Hyperdrug now, but have used others in the past.

Ask for a prescription and order it online - we use petdrugsonline but there are tons of other options.

I've just asked the vet for prices for everything.

Vet consult £58-60

Written prescription £26

Six months of apoquel 5.4mg £286.61

I'm going to check around and see if I can get the drugs cheaper online, it's never occurred to me before to get it other than from the vet.

Just done the sums to include 6 months meds, vet consult and prescription

From the vet £346.61

Petdrugs £264 (200 tablets rather than 180)

Animed £253.80

Hyperdrug 296.60

Animed looks really good and has good deals on quality dog food too!!!

Thank you all for the suggestions.

Try to time your written prescription request with another visit, if possible. My vet wouldn't require a separate consultation or fee if I request the prescription during or shortly after the last consultation.

For example, they note a 12 month authorisation of the parasiticide on each visit. I agree that it seems to be a 6 month health check for apoquel, although the prescribing guidelines seem to change quite frequently.

If you request a written prescription during your annual check/ vaccinations, this should be covered by that same visit so you should only need a separate consultation 6 months later. I didn't even consider the consultation fee!

Thanks for doing that research. I'll bear it in mind if I decide to go this route. It's interesting that the chewable version is cheaper than the normal pill. I wonder if the prescription has to specify which type? Hopefully not, as it's the same medication.

We use Pet Drugs online and it's been fine so far. Both my dogs are on prescription meds and luckily one has their vaccination in spring, the other autumn so we manage to save the consult fee each time as the Vet will check both over at the same time. It's a small surgery in a market town and they are very reasonable. They charge £24 for the prescription (each) and I think we save around £60 over 6 months.

Ah that's a good idea! He's due more apoquel on 21 October but unfortunately his vaccinations aren't due until March, that's a nuisance. I could ask the vet to agree on my dog's notes in March that he's ok for apoquel for another six months I suppose. I do take him to the vet nurse for nail clipping which is £23, he has black nails and I have the horrors at the thought of creating an injury.

I wonder if it would be cheaper to have the vet do his nails and agree to six months apoquel at the same time.

I know it all sounds petty but times are hard, insurance is high, and every pound has to work harder.

As an aside Animed is on topcashback and here's my link if that help.

https://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/ljsljs

I think it's 6 months from examination/ consultation date, but always worth asking the question!

We're currently covered by the insurance, including a related consultation, so for now I'll probably stick with vet dispensed, but good to know topcashback possibility.

All 4 of my dogs have black nails, I feel your pain! (Although 3 of them have 1 white nail each.)