Umm, sorry, but you’re dead wrong. As said the other veterinarians (one of whom has a radiology specialty 
) to whom the radiographs were shown. That is exactly what they said happened.
And I don’t know which moo-U you are refering to, but I’d guess it’s one that puts out plenty of competent vets but as with all vet schools, someone is at the bottom…
You’re right - and I got one of the bottom ones. :sigh:
I have experience and theory, so it looks like I’ll never be at anyone’s mercy. Lucky me. 
I really can’t see why there is such a tremendous chasm in opinion here. We all- vets, owners- want the best quality of life for our animals and for ourselves. Those of you who are stumping for veterinary medicine et all- can you really, really not understand that there are vets/clinics whose prices are outrageous and whose bedside manner is awful? Is that so hard to believe? My vet provides excellent care, has several ‘cutting edge’ technologies available, and when they do not have those technologies available they refer me to someone who does- often, yes, a specialist or Cornell. They make me aware of all treatment options available, from the extreme and extremely proactive to the very passive, and go into great detail about the potential benefits & risks of all of those options. I never feel pressured there. Additionally, the docs at this practice obviously make a fine living. Nice cars, one of them owns several nice horses who are boarded at a nice facility, the kids all got through college (private institutions, no less!), etc. They have more support staff then any office I’ve seen in my life, and very low turnover, so the pay must be all right. Their prices are routinely half what is charged for the same procedure at the large veterinary group that has a monopoly on this county. Again, this is one example, but the wealth of responses on this thread alone should tell you that it isn’t a unique situation. Technologies are improving, schooling and maintenance costs are going up, etc, I get all that, I really do. I also want my vets to make a great living- I want to keep them in the biz! I’m glad to pay a premium for good service and care. I’m not willing to put myself into hock for it, and I will NOT be made to feel that I’m a terrible owner who shouldn’t have pets because I’m unwilling to do so.
I know the people who are being spoken of on here- the ones who shouldn’t have animals. If you don’t go check out the pets section on craigslist and read a few ads- you’ll see them. The people who can’t afford the cost of a spay or any vacs but want their children to witness the ‘miracle of birth’, the people who can’t afford a rabies vac but want hundreds of dollars for their ‘pure bread schnickerdoodle’. The folks whose cat is hit by a car and need to know where they should take it- because they don’t have any sort of relationship with any vet. The people who jump up and down and squeal about how awful vets are because those vets will not provide free treatment for the parvo puppy they just bought off the street. I’m not one of those people. I highly doubt that anyone sharing their discontent on here is.
And yes, you can allow yourself to be made to feel guilty, or take your business elsewhere, but why is the attitude and salesmanship that results in us being made to feel guilty so prevalent? Veterinary medicine is a service like any other- your attitude as the service provider matters. Don’t be a jerk, and people will probably be more willing to listen to you, and more willing to pay a bit more.
As for the idea that 45% of your clientele shouldn’t have animals because they cannot afford to pay out the… well, bless your heart. I can’t believe I got to use that twice in one thread.
Those are not my words but I agree. Many, many people do expect the same level of care they themselves are receiving ( and they expect it delivered more quickly too!). Many clients are even disconnected with the lifespan of their pets. When you explain their horse/dog/cat is geriatric, they have a hard time dealing with it and want everything possible done to extend their comfortable lifespan( sometimes they aren’t even that worried about comfort unfortunately). People choose procedures all of the time that I would not do for my own pet but I don’t begrudge them their choice or my and my colleauges right to charge for our services.
Just because it’s not what you would want does not mean the whole world feels likewise.
[QUOTE=Rubyfree;4208645]
I know the people who are being spoken of on here- the ones who shouldn’t have animals. If you don’t go check out the pets section on craigslist and read a few ads- you’ll see them. The people who can’t afford the cost of a spay or any vacs but want their children to witness the ‘miracle of birth’, the people who can’t afford a rabies vac but want hundreds of dollars for their ‘pure bread schnickerdoodle’. The folks whose cat is hit by a car and need to know where they should take it- because they don’t have any sort of relationship with any vet. The people who jump up and down and squeal about how awful vets are because those vets will not provide free treatment for the parvo puppy they just bought off the street. I’m not one of those people. I highly doubt that anyone sharing their discontent on here is.
As for the idea that 45% of your clientele shouldn’t have animals because they cannot afford to pay out the… well, bless your heart. I can’t believe I got to use that twice in one thread.[/QUOTE]
Good post Rubyfree. Those craiglister’s types ARE the 45%.
I think you’re missing my point. This isn’t an anti-vet rant, and I’m far from an uneducated pet owner. So please don’t condescend.
What you should consider is why an owner would feel that purchasing a product off the Internet is necessary. Because though you assert that a vet will match price - in real life that isn’t true. HW preventative has a HUGE markup. It’s criminal - absolutely criminal - that this drug - which just about every dog in the US should be on - has not come down in dramatically in price.
I prefer to purchase everything through my vet, actually. But since you didn’t ask and just assumed I didn’t and I had some sort of beef with veterinarians I thought I’d clear that up. I also recently spent thousands of dollars on an ER stay and didn’t have any problem with it. Again - please don’t assume I’m uneducated.
I also don’t appreciate the attempt to instill fear, uncertainty and doubt when a member of the public questions a practice or charge. That’s the type of crap people pull when they want the person to be a good little lemming.
I’ve seen the vet lobby in action here in Virginia and they’re just like any other lobby so again - please don’t treat me like I’m an idiot. If the vets on this particular thread are not among those engaging in unscrupulous or outrageous practices, that’s great.
But I am fully aware that there are many vets that are. And they appear to be increasing in number - and sorry - the quality of care is not increasing. The QUANTITY and cost of care - yes - that is increasing.
[QUOTE=Pancakes;4208612]
Just a note – any product, be it flea/tick/heartworm preventative or medication, if purchased over the internet or through something like 1-800-petmeds or the like, is NOT backed by a guarantee. Who was it earlier that posted saying they were treating a collie for HW because the product was purchased not through the vet? If it’s purchased through the vet, the company has to back their product and will pay for vet care if there is a complication or failure (in the case of HW preventative). You do NOT have this guarantee if you purchase it from an outside source.
It really isn’t all about the money – MANY practices WILL price match because of this, and because they want to maintain that high standard of care (including holding companies responsible for their products) for pets. It really isn’t all about cornering the market.
As an owner, would you rather save a few bucks here or there and get something that isn’t 100% reliable or guaranteed and risk your dog getting heartworm or a medication complication, and then having to pay for the treatment out of pocket, or are those few bucks peace of mind? I know for me what the answer would be, but I’ll leave that question open to you.[/QUOTE]
If I thought this was the case, I would have agreed. I just didn’t. I felt that suggesting anything but palliative therapy was just crazy once she found the large mass in his stomach.
Even diagnostic procedures are traumatic for pets, who don’t know what’s going on and can’t understand “we’re seeing if we can help you.” Had I gone along with the vet’s suggestions he would have spent the last week of his life in an animal hospital instead of at home getting loved and attended on, and then sent peacefully on his way when it was clear he was suffering.
Vets need to give options and recommendations based on their knowledge. If a vet finds him/herself always suggesting the high intervetion method, and never letting an animal go peacefully, I think they need to take a hard look at their priorities. Before they suggest the ultrasound, exploratory surgery, and chemo… they need to ask themselves whether it is in the best interest of the PET, not the owner.
p.s. I purchase my meds from my vet because even his med markup is reasonable.
Look, I’m not treating you like an idiot – I’m stating something that many people DON’T know. In fact, most don’t. So I stated it for the education of everyone who doesn’t…not implying you are stupid and don’t know it. I simply wanted to offer an explanation and a reason why purchasing through a vet is safer than online. Yes, there is uncertainty when ordering from an online distributor. Nothing is 100%. If that makes you feel fearful, then that’s your emotional response. I really find it hard to believe I was fear-mongering. I just presented the facts, and a possible (and real, according to the other vet that posted on this thread) scenario. As a pet owner you AND EVERYONE ELSE (so as to not make you feel I’m singling you out) has the right to know these things. I think it’s great if you already did know this. However, your knowledge of this isn’t conveyed by implying that money was the main reason vets don’t want their clients buying through online pharmacies and suppliers. My point was that MONEY is not the main reason vets are trying to keep things being purchased through them.
I also said, if you go back and read, that MANY vets will price-match. Nowhere did I say that all will, or do I assume that all will. The smart ones will, and the even smarter ones have other practices in place so they won’t have to.
And you don’t have any beef with veterinarians? Clearly you do, or you wouldn’t be posting such vehemently negative things about their practices.
LOL when did I even say you were uneducated? You are blowing things WAY out of proportion!
[QUOTE=JSwan;4208661]
I’ve seen the vet lobby in action here in Virginia and they’re just like any other lobby so again - please don’t treat me like I’m an idiot. If the vets on this particular thread are not among those engaging in unscrupulous or outrageous practices, that’s great.
But I am fully aware that there are many vets that are. And they appear to be increasing in number - and sorry - the quality of care is not increasing. The QUANTITY and cost of care - yes - that is increasing.[/QUOTE]
LOL when did I treat you like an idiot regarding the lobbying? Please enlighten me. I believe I was the one asking a question.
And contrary to your observations and experiences, the quality of care on the whole has been increasing. I’m sorry you haven’t experienced this.
[QUOTE=Ambrey;4208678]
If I thought this was the case, I would have agreed. I just didn’t. I felt that suggesting anything but palliative therapy was just crazy once she found the large mass in his stomach.
Even diagnostic procedures are traumatic for pets, who don’t know what’s going on and can’t understand “we’re seeing if we can help you.” Had I gone along with the vet’s suggestions he would have spent the last week of his life in an animal hospital instead of at home getting loved and attended on, and then sent peacefully on his way when it was clear he was suffering.
Vets need to give options and recommendations based on their knowledge. If a vet finds him/herself always suggesting the high intervetion method, and never letting an animal go peacefully, I think they need to take a hard look at their priorities. Before they suggest the ultrasound, exploratory surgery, and chemo… they need to ask themselves whether it is in the best interest of the PET, not the owner.
p.s. I purchase my meds from my vet because even his med markup is reasonable.[/QUOTE]
I totally agree with you – I’m sorry your vet wasn’t better at communicating with you. Without knowing the situation entirely, it’s hard for me to comment, but it’s also important to remember that if the vet isn’t getting it (and many vets don’t!), you should speak up and say “ya know, I really think I’d like to make fluffy comfortable, and I don’t expect a miracle, but I’d like his last week or month to be his best.”
Vets will still make recommendations and suggestions based on the highest level of care, but again, they are doing it not to make you feel guilty but more to give you the options so they can basically cover their butts in case something happens later. I’ve seen it happen; it’s not pretty for anyone.
[QUOTE=Rubyfree;4208645]
I really can’t see why there is such a tremendous chasm in opinion here. We all- vets, owners- want the best quality of life for our animals and for ourselves. Those of you who are stumping for veterinary medicine et all- can you really, really not understand that there are vets/clinics whose prices are outrageous and whose bedside manner is awful? Is that so hard to believe? My vet provides excellent care, has several ‘cutting edge’ technologies available, and when they do not have those technologies available they refer me to someone who does- often, yes, a specialist or Cornell. They make me aware of all treatment options available, from the extreme and extremely proactive to the very passive, and go into great detail about the potential benefits & risks of all of those options. I never feel pressured there. Additionally, the docs at this practice obviously make a fine living. Nice cars, one of them owns several nice horses who are boarded at a nice facility, the kids all got through college (private institutions, no less!), etc. They have more support staff then any office I’ve seen in my life, and very low turnover, so the pay must be all right. Their prices are routinely half what is charged for the same procedure at the large veterinary group that has a monopoly on this county. Again, this is one example, but the wealth of responses on this thread alone should tell you that it isn’t a unique situation. Technologies are improving, schooling and maintenance costs are going up, etc, I get all that, I really do. I also want my vets to make a great living- I want to keep them in the biz! I’m glad to pay a premium for good service and care. I’m not willing to put myself into hock for it, and I will NOT be made to feel that I’m a terrible owner who shouldn’t have pets because I’m unwilling to do so.
I know the people who are being spoken of on here- the ones who shouldn’t have animals. If you don’t go check out the pets section on craigslist and read a few ads- you’ll see them. The people who can’t afford the cost of a spay or any vacs but want their children to witness the ‘miracle of birth’, the people who can’t afford a rabies vac but want hundreds of dollars for their ‘pure bread schnickerdoodle’. The folks whose cat is hit by a car and need to know where they should take it- because they don’t have any sort of relationship with any vet. The people who jump up and down and squeal about how awful vets are because those vets will not provide free treatment for the parvo puppy they just bought off the street. I’m not one of those people. I highly doubt that anyone sharing their discontent on here is.
And yes, you can allow yourself to be made to feel guilty, or take your business elsewhere, but why is the attitude and salesmanship that results in us being made to feel guilty so prevalent? Veterinary medicine is a service like any other- your attitude as the service provider matters. Don’t be a jerk, and people will probably be more willing to listen to you, and more willing to pay a bit more.
As for the idea that 45% of your clientele shouldn’t have animals because they cannot afford to pay out the… well, bless your heart. I can’t believe I got to use that twice in one thread.[/QUOTE]
Excellent post Rubyfree.
So also you never answered my question…exactly what are they lobbying for, what kind of vet-related legislation/changes?
[QUOTE=JSwan;4208059]
Well - I guess that shoots down the assertion that veterinarians are primarily concerned about practicing medicine. :rolleyes:
No matter how much the standard of care has risen it still does not justify the egregious costs associated with routine veterinary care - which often exceeds the costs for HUMANs to obtain similar care.
Many vets take great exception to people treating their pets at home, or with products designed for other species, or purchasing vaccines and products off the internet. Ostensibly this is due to their concerns over quality vet care for the animal in question - and now you are asserting it’s really all about money.
Which is what we all thought in the first place. Money is the primary motivation.
Thanks for confirming what we suspected.
No reasonable person wants to compromise on veterinary care for their pet or livestock.
The reason we have to is because of the outrageous prices for ROUTINE CARE and increasingly exclusive and upscale nature of small animal practices. If y’all keep going on the path you are on - that 55% is going to start dropping. Actually - it already has. If those percentages are correct 45% of animal owners cannot afford the prices you are charging for routine care.
Perhaps instead of trying to foist expensive prescription diets, pills, potions and treatments trying to pay for the granite countertops - you should focus on reaching the 45% of clients that you’re pricing out of your practice.[/QUOTE]
Standing and applauding JSwan…BRAVO, BRAVO. Excellent post, couldn’t have said it better myself!
[QUOTE=dr j;4208088]
Sigh.
Where do I start?
Why is it that with every other profession it’s “OK” to actually want to provide a good living for your family but for vets that has to be secondary to everything else?
And have you every thought of it this way- those 45% of clients that are being priced out, were priced out the minute they got the animal. They aren’t paying their own bills let alone their veterinary bills. i.e. They shouldn’t have the animal to begin with. It’s not a right you know. Catering to those clients helps no one, because pretty soon you no longer have a practice.
I planned a much longer response but alas, I have to on a call. On a Holiday - while my family is off to the lake.[/QUOTE]
BULLSHIT…BULLSHIT…BULLSHIT…I “could” belong in your 55 percent premier club…but I refuse to be apart of that click. Not when there are other qualified vets in the area charging less.
I work 7 days a week, don’t go on holiday,…so sorry, no sympathy here on the “I had to miss out on the lake” pity party.
[QUOTE=dr j;4208229]
Unless we start talking things like average transaction fees and other hard numbers it’s difficult to say/ decide who is price gouging and who’s not. And I hate to tell you but you are probably not in the 45% no matter what you say. The fact that you do any preventive care whatsoever “says” so.
The 45% are usually those who actually do want to do “everything” possible for their pet - but cannot pay for it AND have decided that it is someone else’s fault - usually the veterinary practice. As most vets will tell you the client they fear the most are the ones who come in saying "I don’t care what it costs’ ( code for because I can’t pay for it anyway). The folks that deeply care weigh their ( usually multiple) options and make their decisions based on their ability to pay and the possible outcomes are always a pleasure to work with. I have no problem with those who choose to not cut a colic or a GDV for financial or other reasons. I have no problem with those who choose to euthanize their old kitty in renal failure rather than throwing a bunch of money at a poor prognosis. What I do have a problem with is making it MY fault that these often intensive procedures cost money. I have had clients spend ridiculous amts of money on cases which were hopeless, I have euthanized cases that were not hopeless but the clients were not up to treatment emotionally or financially. That’s part of it. The point is it’s NOT my choice, it’s theirs and the options have to be offered or it’s NOT good medicine. And it’s actually discrimination. I offer the same options to everyone. In fact I don’t even review my estimates by cost - I do it by procedure/treatment. The staff handles the costs. That enables me to offer my best recommendations without a profit/cost motive.
Vets could stop offering advanced diagnostics/treatments to their clients and then when a client ( could even be you) truly has a need for it, it won’t be available and your vet won’t be experienced enough to utilize the technology.
I would also say that you are right- you won’t encounter me because dollars to doughnuts I live in a tougher area of the country economically than you do- and probably more rural. That’s why management is so darn important. While the rest of the country rode a wave of prosperity for the last 30 years, we have not. To keep the doors open for any of our clients these are lessons we have had to learn.[/QUOTE]
Ruh roo, here we go with the typical threat that I see on so many of these threads. Sorry, but when Hospital B charges half what Hospital A charges…guess which one will get my business.
Actually, I’ve posted quite the opposite. In this thread and others like it - I’ve always been very supportive of veterinarians and the services they provide. I don’t think I’ve ever even complained about a vet bill unless I noticed an error on the billing statement.
But being supportive of vets doesn’t meant I’m always going to agree with everything they do - even if I understand why they do it. And I’m sorry - no matter how you slice it the changes I’m seeing in SA practices - the upscale/boutique practices in which real medicine isn’t as important as selling services - I don’t consider that veterinary medicine. You may be making money hand over fist and that’s great.
If you’re pricing people out of obtaining basic vet care for their animals that is not acceptable. And that is what is happening. Telling people to go use services meant for the poor is not only insulting - those services are limited and I’d rather people TRULY in need use them.
When middle and upper middle class clients go into shock at the price of an annual exam and one or two vaccines… something is wrong and it’s not with the animal owner.
My sympathy and support for vets is tested when, in reply to criticism about spiraling and questionable costs is basically - screw you. And what started as a pretty candid but friendly conversation has turned into vets telling animal owners - screw you or implying that having a pet is some sort of privilege reserved only for those in certain income brackets.
I find that profoundly disturbing. What I also find disturbing is the increasing incidence of vets actively pressuring clients; even emotionally manipulating them into making decisions that may not be in the best interest of the animal.
As I mentioned before that type of emotional manipulation and price gouging is what led to stronger regulation and oversight of the mortuary industry. Because people were being taken advantage of at a time when they were emotionally fragile. And I can think of one other instance in which a human is emotionally fragile - and that is when dealing with their pets.
And the lobbying I refer to is what every veterinary lobby does in each state. Advocate for itself. It’s just lobbying. Any measure that might take away any of your business is strongly opposed. Often it’s for good reason - but sometimes it’s pretty obvious the lobby is just trying to retain control.
Nothing wrong with it - I’m just pointing it out. Because - as so many of you have reminded us - it’s a business.
Just a note about Heartgard… The rumor mill has been circulating that it soon will be available OTC, and not just through a vet.
The way my clinic handles 1-800-PETMEDS and some of the other shady pharmacies? We approve the first request(assuming it’s something the animal needs) and then we have a form letter we mail out to owners that explains the dangers of ordering through the online places like that. How nobody is really certain where the products come from, so the companies that make them won’t honor their warrenty, and they potentially may notbe as effective if they were handled improperly. That way we did our job and informed the owners, but we’re not going to cause hard feelings by denying the request. Once we tell them the reasoning then it’s their decision to make.
Katherine
Vet Tech
Just to throw a wrench in the discussion: :winkgrin:
If pricing out the “45%” of pet owners due to them being somehow less desirable for not wanting to pay $1200 (or whatever) to have their pets’ teeth cleaned…or for pricing that same group out by charging 50%-100%-200% more than other area vets, isn’t this just a way to ensure the already millions of pets without homes will rise by another…ohhh…45%?
Isn’t it a good idea to get more pets into more homes? Or is that only possible with handpicked upper middle class and higher homes who have owners who will not blink at spa day treatments and exclusive pricing?
Will owning a cat now be only for the rich and famous? A dog only available after an income portfolio is performed?
I never complain about vet prices and always stand up for them online. I want my vets to have very good incomes so they’re happy and stay being a vet…I like the ones I use now. I’m lucky to be in an area that has a large amount of vet options…and can shop around to find realistic ones who will not try emotional blackmail with me and who aren’t ridiculously overpriced (although I do tend to use specialists and understand higher charges for those vets considering the expertise, but refuse to pay specialist charges for a vet who isn’t exactly special) and who aren’t PETA-ish.
But I will say I’m surprised at some of the vet comments on here. A few vets that want only high end clients who are emotional enough to want to spend thousands on menutia is fine…expecting all vets to be like that only harms all pet animals in the long run. We don’t want horse ownership only being for the wealthy…we certainly can’t have cat and dog ownership being only for the wealthy and ignorant.
FWIW though…the only vet I’ve had who tried the emotional blackmail on me is one I left that entire clinic because of, despite the head vet being fantastic. I couldn’t be guaranteed I’d see him, couldn’t stand to deal with her. And the younger newer overly emotional and completely unrealistic vet seems to be a common type of the ones coming out of vet schools these days. :no: Especially in large animals. (seriously, she wept over having to dehorn some young stock because it made them bleed and ruined thier self image to not look natural…who the hell gives a large animal vet diploma to someone like that?)
[QUOTE=Horsegal984;4209432]
Just a note about Heartgard… The rumor mill has been circulating that it soon will be available OTC, and not just through a vet.
The way my clinic handles 1-800-PETMEDS and some of the other shady pharmacies? We approve the first request(assuming it’s something the animal needs) and then we have a form letter we mail out to owners that explains the dangers of ordering through the online places like that. How nobody is really certain where the products come from, so the companies that make them won’t honor their warrenty, and they potentially may notbe as effective if they were handled improperly. That way we did our job and informed the owners, but we’re not going to cause hard feelings by denying the request. Once we tell them the reasoning then it’s their decision to make.
Katherine
Vet Tech[/QUOTE]
Sorry, but “no one is certain where those products come from” just smacks of fear-mongering to me. You have no idea and further, NO PROOF that the medications are anything but exactly what your clinic sells, obtained wholesale from the manufacturer (or have the manufacturers reported widespread theft and black market sales to 1-800-Petmeds??) within the expiration dates. The retailers are just that, RETAILERS, they’re providing a product and not treatment, so of course they’re not going to honor the warranty because they’re not involved in administering to the animal. They have no idea what a person does at home. Insinuating that the products are bad is just because they’re not purchased at a vet’s office is all about profits.
[QUOTE=dr j;4208660]
Good post Rubyfree. Those craiglister’s types ARE the 45%.[/QUOTE]
I have to say- I’m so, so sorry. Sincerely, no snarkiness intended here.
If that is virtually half of your clientele, I can see how you could become disheartened, dissuaded, and down right cranky. In my brief experience in veterinary medicine, these folks didn’t account for much ‘business’, as they rarely sought out veterinary attention. Please believe me when I say that I occasionally pray for a day when folks like that are at the least better educated about their animals. I’m sure you do as well.
[QUOTE=AiryFairy;4209577]
Sorry, but “no one is certain where those products come from” just smacks of fear-mongering to me. You have no idea and further, NO PROOF that the medications are anything but exactly what your clinic sells, obtained wholesale from the manufacturer (or have the manufacturers reported widespread theft and black market sales to 1-800-Petmeds??) within the expiration dates. The retailers are just that, RETAILERS, they’re providing a product and not treatment, so of course they’re not going to honor the warranty because they’re not involved in administering to the animal. They have no idea what a person does at home. Insinuating that the products are bad is just because they’re not purchased at a vet’s office is all about profits.[/QUOTE]
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048164.htm
http://www.gvma.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3310#cheap drugs
http://images.1800petmeds.com/images/aboutus/PetMedExpress2008AnnualReport.pdf
excerpt from 1-800-PETMEDS’s Annual Report, page 10 under Risks:
"We currently purchase a portion of our prescription and non-prescription medications from third party distributors and we are not an authorized distributor of these products."
“The majority of our sales were attributable to sales of prescription and non-prescription medications.
Historically, substantially all the major pharmaceutical manufacturers have declined to sell prescription and nonprescription pet medications directly to us. In order to assure a supply of these products, we purchase medications from various secondary sources, including a variety of domestic distributors.”
When you purchase from third-party distributors and secondary sources, you have the possibility of counterfeit products entering the market, or products from other countries NOT approved by the FDA. It’s the same with human dugs. It DOES happen.
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/may02/s020515f.asp
Really, it is NOT all about profit. It is about safety and guarantees.
The companies (Merial, etc) sell to vets and back their products because they trust the legal avenues will be fulfilled by the vets. Proper veterinarian-client-patient relationship and proper labeling are required for medications. If the owner does not administer the medication properly according to labeling and directions, then of course the product is not backed. That’s not the product being bad, that’s the person. That doesn’t change whether you buy online or buy from your vet – the vet doesn’t stand to profit from either of those scenarios. At least if you buy from your vet you get the benefit of those proper directions and the knowledge behind the use.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
