The Vet Practice

Just like in Human medicine - animal medications or "drugs" as we call them, are divided into several categories.

And each of these categories come with their own specific guidelines as to how medications listed in these categories are to be stored and sold.

These guidelines are governed by Legislation and therefore all veterinary drugs must be used and dispensed in strict accordance with these laws.

For instance - those labelled "Prescription Animal Remedy" or "Prescription Only Medication" can only be held, used or prescribed by an "Authorised person" of which a registered Vet is such a person.

They can't simply be bought over the counter from your vet or a pharmacy without a valid prescription. Even if your pet has received the same medication in the past, in order to obtain the same medication again, a prescription will be required.

Now, for a vet to prescribe more of the medication, the animal for which the medication is required must be deemed to be "under veterinary care. This means that your pet has been examined on a regular basis to ensure that the type of medication and the dose dispensed is the most appropriate for your pet at that time.

That's why you often need to make an appointment to have your pet re - examined by your vet on a regular basis to receive ongoing medication.

Q: What if I run out of medication and can't get to my own vet to pick up more?

A: In this case your vet can write a prescription which allows another vet to dispense the medication for you. That's provided your vet has examined your pet recently enough to make that decision.

Another group of medications labelled "Caution" or "Poison" can be sold over the counter - provided they are sold in the manufacturer's original packaging.

Examples of this category of medication are Revolution, Frontline, Advantage, Advocate - and other antiparasitic medications.

These products come in "multi dose" packs such as 3, 4 or 6 months and according to the law - must be sold as a complete pack. Which means - you can't ask to buy just a single dose.

Sometimes individual medications are "rescheduled". This means the category under which they fall changes.

An example of this was the rescheduling of Heartworm medications quite a few years ago - from "Prescription Only" to an over the counter schedule.

Under the old classification - heartworm medications could only be obtained through veterinary clinics and only once your dog had been tested heartworm free.

So don't think your vet is being difficult if they insist on examining your pet regularly in order to dispense more medication. It's simply the law - and we can't change that!