Pets Information

Pros and Cons of Buying Pet Medicine Online


Pets are many things in many ways but they are not responsible. Not outside of very limited doggy parameters. This means that you are 100% responsible for your pet's health. In this day of seemingly limitless online medication options, the only way to face this challenge is through education. Freedom of choice is only a benefit when you are familiar with the choices.

The easy availability of medications online has placed extra pressure on society to moderate its own behavior responsibly. It has placed even more pressure on human beings using the Internet to shop for pets that are entirely reliant on them for their wellbeing.

Buying pet medicine online offers a level of consumer freedom that is enough to make one dizzy. In the old days we would take our pet to our local veterinarian who would counsel us on the right way to deal with our pet's health issues. This was a relief in two obvious ways: we could be guided by an expert and we could shift a little of the weight of responsibility. Today it is possible to go online, diagnose and medicate our own pet.

This is a boon on the one hand, and a very serious danger on the other. With the aid of the Internet we are empowered to act somewhat independently of traditional channels. This is a qualified bonus only if we are almost uncomfortably aware of the fact that we do not have years of veterinary experience behind us. This awareness should hopefully make us doubly cautious as we navigate these unfamiliar waters with our newfound freedom.

The bonus is a qualified one because it should not take the place of veterinary expertise when that is appropriate. The question of how to discern when that is appropriate is the million-dollar question. Websites play experts and they do so with expertise but it is not necessarily the expertise we need.

A favorite tactic is to dot the website with white clad 'experts' who profess to a proficiency they don't have. It is important to note that the figures are often just models paid to pose with an air of authority. We need something more than a show of proficiency when it comes to the lives of our precious pets.

The bottom line is this; nothing can take the place of a visit to the veterinarian when your pet is sick. Attempting to diagnose your pet's ailment yourself can have devastating consequences. When time is of the essence, wasting it waiting for cost effective, online drugs to be shipped to your door is not only unwise but inhumane.

Buying pet medicine online has a limited application. Within these boundaries it can be both benign and cost effective. This avenue works best with repeat medications like flea, tick, worming and heart medications. If you are considering taking advantage of the online option let your vet know. He or she will have to write out a prescription for you to use when purchasing online. Many services also offer to call the vet directly. Your delivery date will be reliant on prompt communication between the online company and the veterinarian's office working together to share information.

Purchasing non-prescription drugs for your pet online is also a matter for caution and consideration. Because certain drugs do not require a prescription does not mean that they are not potentially dangerous if administered unwisely. Read instructions carefully. Good websites take their role as educator seriously. Most have extensive information online regarding dosages and side effects.

Avoid or be cautious regarding prices that are way below market on pet medications. Most legitimate companies hover in the same discount region. Outrageous savings are normally only offered by fly by night companies offering questionable product.

Burke Jones is a frequent contributor to the Pet Health Depot, an online resource for Cat Medicine and Dog Insurance.


MORE RESOURCES:

The Associated Press

Pet-lover McCain finds the scent of their votes; petless Obama lags
Los Angeles Times, CA - 7 hours ago
Americans like their pets. Two out of three of our homes have pets, a whopping 163 million dogs and cats living as full family members. ...
In poll of pet owners, McCain tops Obama The Associated Press
Is McCain "best in show" for pet people? San Francisco Chronicle
42 percent to 37 percent of pet owners favor McCain to Obama CW33 Dallas/Fort Worth KDAF-TV
Boston Herald - Baltimore Sun
all 248 news articles


Pets suffer as owners feel pinch
Dispatch Online, South Africa - 1 hour ago
With pet owners feeling the economic pinch, the AWS has had to cope with an increasing number of unwanted pets, but never one delivered in this manner ...


Shakespeare Festival heads south, forces fans leave pets, coolers ...
Palm Beach Post,  United States - 3 hours ago
By BILL DIPAOLO JUPITER — This year's Shakespeare Festival will go on, but leave your coolers and pets at home. The usual oceanfront venue at Carlin Park ...
Cara Nissman | South Florida Parenting Sun-Sentinel.com
all 2 news articles


Dumped pets sent to Dundee as rescue centres swamped
Scotsman, United Kingdom - 19 hours ago
By HAZEL MOLLISON UNWANTED pets are having to be sent to Dundee to be rehomed as callous owners in the Capital abandon them to go on holiday, ...
Salwan: Pet diseases no small matter The Argus
all 4 news articles


Ridding your pets, home of fleas
KHOU, TX - 2 hours ago
Whilden suggests that pet owners use a monthly topical treatment, but then check to make sure it works. Even after using flea controls such as Advantix, ...


Methodology for Pets and Politics poll
The Associated Press - 19 hours ago
The sampling error margin is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points for the subsample of 1185 pet owners and 4.1 percentage points for the subsample of 570 ...


BBC News

Owners 'kill pets with kindness'
BBC News, UK - 23 hours ago
By Fiona Stalker A leading veterinary charity has said the problem of obese pets in Scotland is now the worst it has ever seen. The People's Dispensary For ...
ONE IN 5 DOGS MISS OUT ON THEIR WALKIES UK Express
all 2 news articles


SBAWL wants to save pets’ lives
Bryan County News, GA - 1 hour ago
Even with those numbers, we hope to turn those pets around within a month. This would add up to 400-600 animals adopted out each year – which is close to ...


CTV.ca

G8 critics...Weaker Bertha?...Pets and politics | KXNet.com North ...
KXMC, ND - 18 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) An AP-Yahoo News poll finds that pet owners favor John McCain over Barack Obama 42 percent to 37 percent, with dog owners particularly in ...
Video: Hurricane Bertha Weakens AssociatedPress
all 2,862 news articles


Shelter sees influx in lost pets after long, loud weekend
The Olympian, WA - 12 hours ago
People who are looking for their lost pets can check with Thurston County Animal Services at 360-352-2510. Owners also can drop by the shelter from 9:30 am ...

Pets - Google News

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