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.

In The News:


NBC13.com

Pets weather Gustav well
Detroit Free Press, United States - 20 hours ago
Early reconnaissance by rescuers allowed into storm-damaged areas indicates the vast majority of pets were evacuated with their owners, and thousands of ...
When storms threaten, consider pets' safety, too Gulf Breeze News
Woman helps pets lost during evacuation News Courier
Evacuated Pets, Owners To Be Reunited After Gustav WDSU
National Geographic - ConnieTalkall 350 news articles

Foreclosure Pets in the Crossfire How shelter philosophies affect ...
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 21 hours ago
And if they're one of the 60 percent of US households with pets, they may well find themselves unable to muster up the emotional energy to know what to do ...
Alameda shelter population on the rise San Jose Mercury News
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Retail's next big thing - pets
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 2 hours ago
The imminent opening of pet superstore Pets at Home at Melbourne's retail mecca, Chadstone shopping centre, is a significant milestone in the life of the ...

Electronic House

New iRobot Roombas Take on Pets, Maid Services
PC Magazine - Sep 3, 2008
by Mark Hachman Pet lovers who might not want to break out the vacuum cleaner on every occasion may want to check out the two new models in the iRobot ...
House Pets Can Finally Let Their Hair Down eFluxMedia
iRobot adds Roombas to clean up after pets, pros Electronista
New Roomba Vacuums Tackle Pet-Hair Woes Xconomy
Mass High Tech - ElectricPig.tvall 30 news articles

San Francisco Chronicle

Remembering childhood pets
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 12 hours ago
As I drove my children and Simba home, I remembered the pets from my childhood. There was Lollipop, a gray and white tabby; Hammy the hamster, who bit holes ...

UCF asks fans to leave pets at home on game day
Orlando Sentinel, FL - 8 hours ago
UCF officials are reminding fans to leave their pets at home on game day. Fans are not allowed to bring dogs to tailgate parties on campus, no matter how ...

Information for safeguarding pets during hurricanes
WECT-TV6, NC - 9 hours ago
As you prepare for disasters, don't forget your pets. Never leave your animals behind to fend for themselves. Never tie animals up or leave them confined in ...

Vancouver Sun

Prozac for pets may be panacea for owners
Vancouver Sun,  Canada - 20 hours ago
The argument that pet owners humanize their animal companions, and would resort to drug use before -- or instead of -- using behaviour training has been ...

Pomeranian - The Fluffy Pets
Oneindia, India - 18 hours ago
They get along well with other household pets if given a slow and proper introduction. Poms can live upto 12- 19 years. Research states that some healthy ...

Doctors Foster and Smith and Midwest Airlines Join Forces to Make ...
MarketWatch - 16 hours ago
RHINELANDER, Wis., Sept 04, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- When equipped with the right information and tools, airline travel with pets can be as simple as ...
Flying with Pets? Here’sa Link You’ll Love Cheapflights.com
Consumer Shopping Engines Become Profitable Medium for Drs. Foster ... PR.com (press release)
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