R I C H

This is what we did for various medications our dogs needed. It was a third of the price at a local pharmacy, rather than getting the prescription fulfilled by a vet. For ongoing drug treatment it saved us a huge amount of money.

Jerseygirl

I’m surprised a vet will let you have a script, as surely they make $$$ on selling you the meds themselves.

dbd33

Some drugs are by prescription in Canada but OTC in the US or Europe. Even those that are OTC in both locations, horse de-wormer for example, are dramatically cheaper in some markets than others. Check before traveling, it may be worth paying for a checked bag.

scrubbedexpat091

Can't say if it's Canada wide, but in BC clients have the right to a written prescription to take elsewhere, vets don't always like it, but the client has the right to a written prescription.

https://www.cvbc.ca/CVBC1/Resources/...c-94c6a5b9dffa

Jerseygirl

Interesting...thanks J.

I like to have a good relationship with my vet. As such I wouldn’t be comfortable asking for a script to be filled elsewhere.

Danny B

We have had at least one dog in our house for the last 25 years or so and we have never bought any pet insurance. We have been lucky I guess, a few hundred here, a few hundred there for odd things like the shits etc but nothing major.

We love our dogs, but if we were ever faced with the choice of paying anything over three grand for an operation where the survival rate was questionable, that would be it. Sleepy time for the dog.

Jerseygirl

Same here, although we have had dogs for longer, until we moved to Toronto.

I bought insurance for my first dog. She had anal gland problems, the infection kept spreading through her body. The vet reluctantly removed them when she was 6 months old. The insurance company refused to pay out, saying it was genetic, despite a letter from the vet saying in his option it wasn’t.

R I C H

$10 per day or $2 per day over a 5+ year period that one of our dogs needed medication for? It's a no-brainer to take a script to London Drugs or Costco. If your vet can't accommodate or understand those economics, I'd change practice. After all they still conducted and got paid for regular health/blood checks etc, took care of our horse and other pets.

Jerseygirl

I didn’t say my vet was unwilling to issue a script.

R I C H

I was addressing your point that you'd choose a healthy relationship with your vet rather than ask for a script and fulfil it elsewhere and save money. The two issues aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.

jennellapea

I get my dogs prescription filled at Costco. So much cheaper.

BristolUK

So it's looking like a vet has a supply of drugs at their office while a doctor has to write a prescription.

That explains why when someone in the movies or on TV gets shot they go to a vet instead of a doctor.

It's nothing to do with not wanting the cops involved after all.

Jerseygirl

TBH I have only ever had meds such as antibiotics from the vet. I suppose if I had to buy expensive meds, regularly I may have second thoughts.

BEVS

True. You would defo do what was needed as I know you love your dogs inside out and upside down.

Someone with a diabetic pet for instance will do far better to be able to get the insulin & syringes they need from somewhere other than a vet practice. I have read of very many USCs sourcing such from Canada as that in itself was cheaper and also this CostCo place as they simply could not afford the vet practice prices. Without being able to source elsewhere , they could not have afforded to keep their pet because of the expense. Some of it was heartbreaking to read.

Unfortunately here in NZ I had to pay large costs for this as it could only come through a vet practice. Lucky for us we had the wherewithal to use some funds we had put by. Pet insurance was a no-go because of my pets ages at the time we arrived in NZ. So much would not have been covered it simply was not worth very high premiums. Nor was that really affordable. I did manage to source syringes from the UK. Far cheaper than from anywhere in NZ. Even then the vet was unconvinced they were any good until I proved it.

Anyone having any form of difficulties affording vet costs and med bills for their beloved pets has all my sympathy.

scrubbedexpat091

Insulin is insane in the US price wise if you dont have good insurance.

Vials going for $300 something in the US, and same medication/manufacturer/brand in Canada for $30-$40

One medication we have in Canada would be (we have 100% coverage so pay $0) $45 per month, in the US its $550-$600 per month for the same exact medication. (US price assuming no insurance coverage.)