Pet good health and UK prescriptions

The continued good health of your pet should be your priority but what about the cost of health care which can be huge at times?

Pet insurance is a good idea but as usual one size does not fit all. You may find the cost of insuring your pet when he or she is young relatively cheap but in time the premiums could rise and be beyond your income.

It is important to consider if you can really afford a pet, in cost, time and effort, before you take one or more into your home but life is rarely so straightforward. Your financial circumstances may change for the worse during your pet's lifetime or the animal may need extensive treatments running into thousands of pounds.

Make sure you research the best value veterinary care in your local area taking into account customer reviews and references. You do not want "cheap" if it offers a bad service; look around for a vet's that will fit your animals need and costs if possible.

Our local vet offered vaccinations for life for £100 when rescued Tinka came to live with us more than four years ago. That price includes an annual health check which in turn has little extras such as nail trims.

You may think that chancing a set fee is not a good option but surely you are hoping your pet will live with you for many years? Tinka was aged around three or four when he came to live with us but in a year or two that £100 will have proved to be money well spent.

One of the most costly treatments for a pet can be medicines. Simply giving an animal the equivalent medication that a person would take is not appropriate.

However if you can source the medication cheaper through a local pharmacy or online paying a fee for the animal's prescription could come up trumps; it is especially good value for money if you pet needs ongoing medication possibly for the rest of his or her life.

A note of caution: Buying medication for you, your family members or your pets online can be dangerous. Finding a reputable source is imperative. It is OK trying to cut costs but not at the expense of good health.

Discuss the medication options with your vet and local pharmacy.

RCVS, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, also has advice which you can find here; part of that is reproduced below:

10.2 Veterinary surgeons must:
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1. ensure clients are able to obtain prescriptions, as appropriate. (A veterinary surgeon may prescribe a medicine of category Prescription Only Medicine, Veterinarian (POM-V), only following a clinical assessment of an animal under his or her care; a prescription may not be appropriate if the animal is an in-patient or immediate treatment is necessary);
2. subject to any legal restrictions, ensure there is adequate provision of information on medicine prices;
3. provide the price of any relevant veterinary medicinal product stocked or sold, to clients, or other legitimate enquirers, making reasonable requests;
4. if requested, inform clients of the price of any medicine to be prescribed or dispensed;
5. where possible and relevant, inform clients of the frequency of, and charges for, further examinations of animals requiring repeat prescriptions;
6. provide clients with an invoice that distinguishes the price of relevant veterinary medicinal products from other charges and, where practicable, provide clients with an invoice that distinguishes the price of individual relevant veterinary medicinal products;
7. advise clients, by means of a large and prominently displayed sign, or signs, (in the waiting room or other appropriate area), with reference to the following:
8. "Prescriptions are available from this practice.
   
   You may obtain relevant veterinary medicinal products from your veterinary surgeon OR ask for a prescription and obtain these medicines from another veterinary surgeon or a pharmacy.
   
   Your veterinary surgeon may prescribe relevant veterinary medicinal products only following a clinical assessment of an animal under his or her care.
   
   A prescription may not be appropriate if your animal is an in-patient or immediate treatment is necessary.
   
9. 
   You will be informed, on request, of the price of any medicine that may be prescribed for your animal.
   The general policy of this practice is to re-assess an animal requiring repeat prescriptions for/supplies of relevant veterinary medicinal products every XX months, but this may vary with individual circumstances.
   
   The standard charge for a re-examination is £XX.
   
   Further information on the prices of medicines is available on request."