From the ArcaMax Publishing, Cats & Dogs Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/catsanddogs/s-174512-661306
I don't know of any veterinarian who wouldn't do this for a loyal
client. If they say no, they're downright crazy in my opinion!
Don't expect to just walk into a clinic you've never been to before
and ask them to price match. You have to establish a relationship with
them first (see Tip #10).
Go to the website where you found the product(s) you want to buy.
Enter what you need in the shopping cart. Go far enough into the
checkout process where you have a total listed (obviously you don't
want to actually purchase the product.) MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE THE
SHIPPING INFORMATION. You could also just print the information off
the main product screen as long as the shipping information is
included somewhere on the page.
Print this off and take it to your vet. Make sure that it is dated
somehow as they probably won't honor anything that wasn't printed out
during the last few days.
The truth is, online pharmacies could give a hairy melon about you and
your pet! Trust me, I've been forced to speak to their customer
service representatives on more than one occasion.
Veterinarians and their staff work hard to establish relationships
with their clients. When you buy from them not only do you get the
product (heartworm tablets, flea prevention, arthritis medication,
whatever) but you also get the advice and knowledge that comes along
with it. Sure, buying something for a cheaper price is a right you
have as a consumer. But have you thought about WHY it's cheaper?
First of all, many people don't realize that veterinary products
purchased from online retailers DO NOT COME WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S
GUARANTEE. This is simply because the manufacturer did not approve for
these products to be sold without the establishment of a client-doctor
relationship. Someone out there with a veterinary license is making a
pretty penny redistributing these items as bootlegged items.
So, let's say you've been giving your dog his heartworm preventative
faithfully each month as directed. Then he tests positive for
heartworm. After all, no medication in animal or human medicine is
100% effective. (Can we say birth control pills?) It happens.
If it shows in your dog's medical record that you have purchased
heartworm medication from the clinic on a regular basis THE
MANUFACTURER WILL PAY FOR 100% OF YOUR DOG'S HEARTWORM TREATMENT! If
you've purchased heartworm medication from an online vendor it's up to
you to foot the bill.
Just last week our clinic treated a heartworm postive dog. Luckily his
owner previously purchased a year supply of heartworm preventative
from us (who knows if it was actually given to the dog). When he
tested positive for heartworm guess who paid for the treatment?
Yep-the manufacturer.
Imagine if manufacturers of birth control pills had to be held
responsible for all those unexpected pregnancies! This demonstrates
the value pet manufacturers place on the establishment of a vet-client
relationship.
Now, I told you earlier that giving your dog heartworm preventative
was a good investment right? Don't expect the manufacturer to pay for
treatment if you decide to buy just one or two pills. It has to show
on your pet's medical record that you've purchased the amount
recommended by your veterinarian.
Keep in mind that if you ever say, "No thanks" to a refill on
heartworm preventative, "client declines heartworm preventative" gets
written in your pet's record. Hopefully that doesn't come back to
haunt you later on!
If you think I'm just blowing a bunch of hot air into your face just
to make sure you purchase your products from the vet take a look at
what Novartis has to say about it.
Follow the link
(http://www.interceptor.novartis.us/dog/en/about.shtml) and then
scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says, "Novartis 100%
Satisfaction Guarantee to Veterinarians."
See? I'm not making this up!
The guarantee also applies to other products besides heartworm
medication. If your dog has some kind of reaction or if for some
reason you are unhappy with your purchase good luck getting any
support or refund from the online vendor!
They also say these products are "exactly like what you get from your
vet!" They're not. Many clients receive products that have expired or
in packages written in a different language.
We also don't know how these products are being shipped or stored.
Have they been baking in a non-air-conditioned warehouse somewhere?
Freezing in the back of a delivery truck? Who knows?
Bottom-line-give your money to your veterinary hospital. They have
your pet's best interest at heart.
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This tip courtesy of Dogproblems.com