Tell me about getting a prescription from the vet so I can buy online

[MrsFogi]

I need to get the next box of flea treatment for the Fogi cats. First time I took the to the vets and paid for check up and flea treatment, worm treatment etc. Next time I rang and asked for a prescription (thinking that I would get a written prescription that I would pay a nominal fee for and could use online) and although I thought I had been clear, when I got to the vets the box of flea treatment was there and I paid for it (at vet prices).
I'm going to ring this afternoon to ask for a written prescription - can anyone tell me if this is a usual thing to do? Do vets have any obligation to provide written prescriptions to be used elsewhere (obviously charging a fee for writing the prescription). Also, do vets need to see cats in order to write such prescriptions (fleas and worms) or should it be sufficient that I let them know the weight of the cats?
Anything else a rookie cat owner should know?

Vets have to see the cats annually to prescribe flea treatment (for prescription only treatments). If cat is on border for weight they may require you to take cat in for a weight check (these are generally free).
They will charge a fee for the prescription. There are legalities around prescription only medicines so vet will be taking responsibility for that medication being prescribed for that animal hence needing correct weight. The charge isn't them trying to make a fast buck but the charge will vary between practises-ours charges about £12.

Thanks Vinorosso74. Do you know if the same applies to worm treatments?

Just say you would like an annual prescription to buy it online. They will know what you mean.

Worming tablets you can buy without prescription anyway, Droncit is a good broad spectrum wormer.

As flea treatments are based on weight, they might want to see them for a weight check if they are still growing but if they are adult cats you expect have not gained/lost weight since last check up, they might be ok without seeing them again.

Great thanks for the advice viccat I hadn't realised worming treatments didn't need a prescription.

You need to watch wormers the more modern less likely to cause vomiting such as milbemax are prescription only.
Droncit only treats tapeworm.
Drontal does both round and tapeworm and is not prescription only but is commonly vomited up.

Useful to know that Lone We use Milbemax here and the tablet is pretty small for easier swallowing (well from a human perspective).

My cat is on thyroid tablets. I go every 5 months for blood test and pay £8 for prescription. I've been up front and said if they were cheaper I would use them but it's the difference between £1.30 a tablet from them and 57p on line. I just order and buy 150 tablets at a time and upload the prescription. No issues yet.

Save a same fortune!

My vet charges £24 for a six month prescription of Broadline so, with two cats, it never really worked out to be with it. I’ll gave to go back to £12 direct debit.