Petmeds Website

[Cathy]

Hi everyone. I needed to buy some more of Maximus' heart worm medication last week, and I had been seeing a lot of comercials on TV for the Petmeds.com web site, stating that you can get the very same meds but for much cheaper.

When I checked out the website, sure enough the meds were much cheaper and the same brand I had been buying from my vet. But, I hate all those shipping charges!

So, on a whim I called my vet, told them I had been to the site and found a great deal. My vets office told me that the meds from that website and others like it were black market, and I could not be sure of what I was buying. I told them the brand was the same, same exact packaging, dosage, etc. They told me they weren't sure how they were getting away with it, but the meds were not the same or guaranteed.

I'm glad I called the vet.....they ended up giving me the same price as on the website, but with no shipping costs.

Has anyone heard this before? Are the meds really different or black market?:scratch:

[Otto'sMom]

I heard on another website about "grey market". The product you're buying may look exactly what your vet has but it may have been made for or by a different country without the stringent FDA requirements we have. Buy from a reputible source you can confirm the quality.

[Lovmyalfred]

No, I have never heard that but it sure makes me mad!!!:mad: I can not believe the things people will do to make a buck. Thank you so much for investigating and sharing what you found.:) I have almost called that number a dosen times. I won't now.

[blazeman]

I am not sure about the meds on PetMeds.com. I haven't ordered from there. Since Jake and Woody will only be small dogs (both are minis) I will only pay 3/month for the hearworm meds each.

That puts me about $48 for 6 moinths for BOTH dogs. Petmeds.com price was $53.99 for ONE 6 month package. Is my breeder just that cheap? Wow... I knew I liked my vet before... not I REALLY like them :D

[Mack]

Bob,
Do you mean you pay $24 for a 6-month supply of heartworm preventative for one dog? That sounds really high, too. I can get a 1-year supply for one dog here in South Florida for $32. So, I pay $96 a year for all 3 of my dogs.

[blazeman]

Another reason I should have moved to Florida a few years ago when I had the chance :)

And I had bad math skills in my post... its 4/month :)

Now when I had my 60lb keeeshond... I would have searched higha nd low for the best price ;) I am OK with 4 bucks a month on these little ones!

[Owen's Mom]

Honestly, I believe that vets feed their clients that line about the petmeds and other mail order vet supplies because they simply want to keep your business. All the manufacturers care about is getting the product sold, they don't care who they sell it through (vet or online distributor) and you still have to have a prescription and all clear from your vet to order the heart worm meds. I get my Advantage from a local dog boutique and can buy it in single doses. It's the exact same product that the vets sell from their office. I worked in the store for a week to help the owner and met the distributor... they are selling the exact same meds to the vets and the online distributors. They simply don't want to lose business to petmeds because there is a HUGE mark up on the stuff. That's why they were so quick to match the price. Also, many of the online suppliers, specically this one http://www.1800petmeds.com/, will wave the shipping fees for purchases over $40.

It's the same line that vets give about having to give yearly boosters or selling Science Diet out of their offices. The food is crap and the boosters are killing our pets.... but they both generate a TON of $$.

[Lovmyalfred]

Owens mom how do you get around the yearly boosters? If mine don't have them then they can't be boarded at the vet. There are just some places I can not take the boys.

[Owen's Mom]

The only booster that you have to give, by law, is Rabies. That is the only one I give. As for the boosters... well, there is tons of new information about the over-vaccination of our pets that is just coming out to the mainstream vets. Sadly, many of them don't want to change their protocols because booster are a huge money maker. It does appear that the AVMA is going to announce new 3 year protocols for boosters rather than yearly ones, and at some point I'm sure they'll do away with them all together. Here is a site that has TONS of information about the subject http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc.htm

As for me, personally, getting around the boarding issue... well, I've never had to board Owen. I have a strong network of dachsie friends who actually argue over who gets to doggie sit him. :D

[dutchman]

I don't think 1-800 petmeds would be selling grey market goods. Not with all the advertising hey do on TV. IF they were selling grey maket meds they would surley be gettting sued by some of the med manfactures since as I recall they show some of the name brand drugs. Fosters $ Smith is another major vendor that I would trust. In a worst case it's possible they might buying older stock that the manfacture wants to unload before it's espiration date runs out.

Tom

[Otto'sMom]

They can advertise all they want on TV, it's still Let the Buyer Beware. TV doesn't = credibility. They are just trying to unload a product to make money. I'd prefer to give my money to the people I know and keep them employed. I'm pretty sure I've funded the new building the vet's office moved to in Maryland, but it was nice to see where my money went.

[Otto'sMom]

I just don't believe the actors in those mail order pet medication commercials. They don't really look like they've ever really loved a pet.

[Patt]

The "name brands" that these sites sell are not made in USA. So yes, buyer beware.

Patt

[dutchman]

I thought a little about asking my vet about ordering heartguard from someone else this year. With the three dogs I could have save something like $40. I decided it was worth the extra to stay on good ground with my vets. They do a great job and I love all teir extended office hours and always someone on 24 hr call. Sure you may get an answering service but someone will call you back in short order to tlk and meet ou if necessary.

Tom adn the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

[Cathy]

I agree Dutchman. I want to be in good graces with my vet. Also, when I originally called them up, they told me that the web meds were not guaranteed. So if Maximus ever got heartworm, and he had taken his webmeds religiously, they would not pay for the heartworm treatment. However, if I bought them from my vet, they would cover the treatment. That only made sense to me.:flower:

[Lauri Gengor]

On heart guard I do get it from my vet because I asked if heart worms appeared how much would the treatment cost...at my vet's it would be N/C since I purchased the product with them. On shots I get all but most are on a three year cycle except lyme disease which is yearly....I live in a wooded area of New England where it is prevelant.

As for boarding..if I have too it is with my vet,,who loves my two and take great care of them. My boarding experiences in the past with my last dachi were a nightmare. Marco was dazed, smelly, and no voice from barking too much..Lesson learned. So my vet it is in case something happens!

Otherwise they go everywhere with me and hope welcomed!

Take care!!

Lauri, Magic and Misty:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: