flea prevention and breeder website

[Rosalyn Ancrum]

Hi everyone,

I was looking a breeder's website (not my breeder) but it stated that anyone who purchased a puppy from them would invalidate their health guarantee  warranty by giving their puppy nexguard, bravecto, comfortis  and any internal flea prevention.  I thought that was strange.  It stated due to reports regarding kidney and liver damage.  I haven't heard this before.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad you included that disclaimer about infestations. I had a flea infestation and other than the death of a loved one, it was the worst experience of my life.

I'm just going to throw this out there. Is it possible that vets are recommending Simparica, Nexgard and Bravecto because they know people can't buy those OTC like they can Frontline? There is a profit margin on that, just like there is on Rx food. I mean, we can love our vets, but they do have to feed their families and send their kids to college. 
Our doctors don't sell us the drugs they recommend, so it's a lot easier to trust their recommendations without worrying about a conflict of interest. Although years ago, they did get major kickbacks from Big Pharma for writing prescriptions for this drug over that one. 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Good point Karen. 

[Stacy]

Oh yes, I know fleas can be bad. I luckily haven't had that experience. I found a couple on Teddy years ago, but I think he had 2. I checked him regularly, and the nice thing was that he had white hair on his belly. Nice long, single coated, white hair and I could see them. I treated him and we never had another issue. 

I think it's very possible that they are endorsing what they make the most profit on. Once upon a time Frontline wasn't over the counter and they recommended that. I would have no problem buying Frontline from the vet though if that's what they recommend. Then you don't have a sourcing issue. I know it's not counterfeit from China. 

Question: I buy Katie's meds from that vet's preferred online pharmacy. It saves me a drive out there. I did make a special trip out there this time so I could get an invoice and the rebate, but do the vets get a cut from the online pharmacy? The meds are the same price. I wasn't sure if I was cutting the vet out of the loop by doing that. It's unfortunate if they are making recommendation based on their income. I want them to make plenty of money, but I also just want to do the best thing for my girls. I shouldn't have to question the vets motivation. And this vet is rich. He has more money than I ever will. Just be ethical and keep my girls safe!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't think they get kickbacks from the online pharmacies. My vet has always been willing to fax a prescription when I requested it, which some won't. 

[Stacy]

Also, yes! I remember when drug reps used to have these huge expense accounts and take us all out to lunch at fancy restaurants. I loved it. I don't feel like I was ever influenced by them, since I can't prescribe. But maybe the doctors... Sometimes new drugs are miracles but sometimes if it isn't broken there's no reason to fix it. Tried and true is still the way to go.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Years ago, I had a client who was a pharmacist, and he told me that the drug reps actually came into the pharmacy every month and went through the records to see which doctors were prescribing their drugs. I don't know if that's true or not. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Our vet wants to give us nexgard for Riley, trying to convince DH to get her revolution instead.  We may have to get it from a different vet though not sure if they will sell it to us without seeing the dog?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm not sure about the laws in Canada. In the U.S., if you ask the vet to give you a prescription for some drug the vet is recommending , so that you can buy it from a pharmacy rather than the vet, they have to give it to you by law. But I'm not sure if that applies to preventatives. I know my vet used to tell me that the company (Merial) would only guarantee the product if you bought it from your vet. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

They don't sell vet meds here at the pharmacy at all as far as I'm aware.  Probably since public healthcare covers people but not animals.  

They might have revolution at her vet but need to ask if they have it in stock, small country vet so they might not, may just have the nexgard. Luna's vet has it and they are close by so wondering if they would sell it.  DH will investigate tomorrow after weighing Riley tonight, though if it's revolution it doesn't matter since weight range is 40-85 lbs.

They gave us a dose of something in the fall, possibly nexgard I can't remember.  If that's what it was she had no issues with it.

[Stacy]

Maybe not flea and tick meds, but a lot of meds that we give the dogs are human medications. I've filled more than a couple prescriptions for dogs at human pharmacies. I know some people don't like Walmart, but their $4 prescriptions are amazing. Maggie's prozac is $11 for 100 pills. The vet can't come close to that price. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

My insurance covers drugs 100%, not sure it would go through with the dog's name on it though lol.  :p

[Stacy]

True story. My health insurance won't cover my children. No fair! That's why the cash price at discount pharmacies are so helpful.