Has anyone here every ordered their pet medications online?  I placed an order for Frontline & Heartgard, but before my vet will ok the order, he sent me a letter telling me to be sure it was a reputable company.  I am ordering online because when it comes to the pet medications my vet is ridiculously overpriced.  I'm not sure I am allowed to mention websites in here, but this is the one I used.... www.1800petmeds.com  has anyone else ever ordered from them?  And if it's not ok for me to mention sites in here.. let me know and I will delete this message.

thanks.. lynne

Well, Gee, Heartgard and Frontline on Petmeds on Petmeds.com are the same exact Heartgard and Frontline sold at many vets and probably sold at your vet's office. My dog uses the same meds.
I honestly couldn't tell you how reliable petmeds is...I have been looking into it but haven't ordered anything. We usually just go to a local pet store and buy the same brands for a lower price than we would find at the vets.

 I don't mean to be judgmental, after all I don't know your vet, but it sounds like he might just be looking for an extra buck.

I also have found that it doesn't save me any $$$ to order meds online. Sorry, no help here.

I think that's a good idea, I will call them today and tell them the reason I am ordering online and see if they offer to give me a discount.  This vet practice wins all kinds of awards for their high standards, but unfortunately it comes as an extra cost on us. 

I just placed an order there this morning.  They are the same meds, just cheaper..AND I didn't have to pay shipping or handling.

I order ALL my pets' meds online if I can. My vet is very understanding because of my multiple dog household (6) and the need to save money when and where I can, and I ALWAYS save tons of money ordering online. I've never had an issue with anything I've bought online - and that includes heartworm meds, flea preventative and prescription meds. I have no idea why vets won't write a script to buy things online - my opinion is that it's because it's a high profit item where they can inflate the price so they can make a buck. JMHO of course....

I've bought things from www.petcarerx.com , www.entirelypets.com , www.discountpetdrugs.com  - if you do a search in GoodSearch for "discount pet medications" you'll get a whole slew of websites.

Now I got a letter in the mail saying that if I choose to order Frontline online then I will have to pay for a yearly blood-test to check for heartworm.  Of course the blood test will cost me twice the amount I am saving by ordering meds online.  I think it's time to find a new vet

The vets really hate to lose the drug selling business. I buy from our vet because she gives us a good multidog and foster discount so buying expensive heartworm from her is our way of supporting a small vet practice for a vet we love. She has always required an annual heartworm test for my guys but that's about the only big thing we have a year since, feeding the way we do, my dogs are so healthy they seldom have to go to the vet for anything. We just work in our annual check up at heartworm time.

I'd agree though, any vet unwilling to work with you on either the price or letting you order online needs to be replaced.

But aren't all dogs supposed to get a yearly blood test for heartworms anyway? And Frontline is for fleas....not a heartworm preventative so what's the connection? 

I think the main reason that heartworm preventative is prescription is because you can only give it to a dog who is heartworm negative (had the test)...if you gave it to a dog that had heartworms it might kill the dog.

Frontline is for fleas and ticks and is sold without a prescription, so it should be no problem ordering online.  All dogs should be tested for heartworm at least yearly before being given heartworm preventitive.  I wouldn't trust a vet that sold it without testing first.  I know the vets mark up the prices, but they do have to make some money. 

edit:  I type too slow. MB beat me to it.

oops.... sorry, it was early when I typed that this morning.  I meant the Heartgard is what the vet won't let me get online.  My dogs don't require a yearly heartworm blood test because they are on Heartgard for 12 months. 

USE to kill your dog. I talked to my vet about this not too long ago. The heartworm medicines use to kill the dog if the dog had heart worms. Modern products are fixed so they don't do this. I guess some out dated meds would, but for the most part new ones are safe.