I recently received this e-mail from a concerned owner:
Q:
“I am a senior citizen with a limited income. My Jack Russell Terrier is 14-and-a-half years old and has been diagnosed with severe mitral valve degeneration and regurgitation… I am giving her Vetmedin1.25 (2 x daily) and Fortekor 2.5 mg. I am now living in Calgary and these meds are costing me about $120.00 per month. I know that vet practices pack part of their overhead into these costs, and I also know that in my former Nova Scotia community the cost was less than 70.00 per month.
Is there a source for these meds that is more reasonably affordable? Is it necessary to have a blood test or other exam every couple of months in order to renew the prescription?"
A:
Good questions. My immediate thought was to suggest that this owner check the cost of his dog’s medications on the online pharmacy of Drs Foster and Smith. This would take away any excess cost tacked onto the medication by his vet’s office pharmacy.
Here’s what our vet cardiologist advisor, Dr. Justin Allen, DVM, DACVIM had to say:
“The problem is I’m not very familiar with vet laws in Canada. Here in the US, you only need an exam yearly to refill medications. Generally, once the bloodwork is confirmed normal after starting Benazepril (Fortekor), you don’t really need to recheck it more than once yearly unless something changes (appetite decrease, dose change, etc). I thought Vetmedin was less expensive in Canada.
He may be able to check an online pharmacy up there (like 1800petmeds) or call around to other vets. Here, we can get those meds from places like Walmart or other human pharmacies, but I’m again not sure what the regulations are there. I would tell him to talk to his vet, and if he gets unsatisfactory answers to find a new vet.*
Does anyone else have experience with vet laws in Canada? Any Canadian readers have suggestions for other Canadians looking for resources?