Many of our pets rely on medicines to stay well. From regular parasite preventatives to daily meds for chronic conditions like heart disease, these treatments can play a huge role in keeping them healthy and happy.
If you’ve ever gone to order your pet’s medication, only to find it’s out of stock, you’ll know how stressful this situation can be. But here’s the good news: while it’s definitely inconvenient, there are usually plenty of ways to manage the issue without putting your pet at risk.
Why do medications go out of stock?
Before jumping into some solutions, it’s helpful to know why medication shortages happen in the first place. It’s not always your vets forgetting to order it in. Often there will be bigger factors at play, such as:
- Manufacturing delays – the company that produces the drug may not be able to keep up with demand
- Supply chain issues – there might be an ingredient shortage or even shipping delays
- High demand – if more pets (or humans, in some cases) need a drug, demand can exceed supply
- Regulation changes – sometimes, medications are recalled or stalled temporarily for safety checks
The important thing to remember is that most of the time, these issues are temporary. Occasionally there are long term stock shortages, but there will often be another alternative. Whatever the situation, you’ll need to make sure your pet is still cared for and can receive their medications with as little hiccups as possible.
Speak to your vet practice
Speaking to your vet practice should be your first port of call (they’re likely the ones to inform you the medication is out of stock initially). They’ll also know the importance of your pet’s medication and what the risk is if they miss a dose. Some solutions they might be able to offer include:
- Providing you with a shorter supply to tide you over until the medication is back in stock (practices often keep a small supply for situations like this)
- Find an alternative supplier – this might be another vet practice, pharmacy or distributor
- Writing a prescription for the medication to be dispensed elsewhere
- Provide an alternative medication (a different brand or formulation, or an adjusted dose)
Tackling the problem with your vet on board is your best bet for a smooth resolution and is safer and easier than handling things yourself. It’s crucial for these decisions to be guided by your vet, as unsupervised medication changes could cause harm to your pet and not every medication has a harmless alternative. Don’t be tempted to try and stretch out your own supply or use what you find at the back of the cupboard.
Why are some medications harder to get than others?
Not all pet medications are classified in the same way. Medications specifically tested and approved for use in animals are called licensed veterinary medicines. If there isn’t a licensed veterinary option available, your vet may prescribe a drug that is ‘off-license’ (perhaps a human medication or a medication licensed in another species). This prescribing is done safely and legally under something called the ‘Cascade’ which vets have to abide by. However, this can mean availability is affected by human medicine supply chains, which can complicate things.
Certain medicines such as seizure medications and some types of pain relief are classed as ‘controlled drugs’ because they have the potential to be misused. These medicines are subject to more stringent usage guidelines meaning:
- They can only be dispensed in small quantities at a time
- Repeat prescriptions often require a brand-new prescription from your vet
- Pharmacies and clinics have strict storage, record-keeping and legal requirements to follow
Due to these extra regulations, you may not be able to stock up or order large quantities of this type of medication in the same way as others. If a controlled drug becomes out of stock, your vet will need to work even more diligently to find a safe alternative or short-term solution.
Sourcing a veterinary medication with a written prescription
Many pet owners aren’t aware that you can ask your vet to write you a written prescription that you can provide to another pharmacy to obtain your pets medication. This works in a similar way to our usual human prescriptions which we get from our doctors, then take to the pharmacy to fill. Your vet will usually charge a fee for doing this, but you are then free to take the prescription to a pet pharmacy (these are often online) to buy the medication from there.
This is a super quick and easy way to source your pet’s medication if your vet practice is out of stock and you can find a pet pharmacy that has a supply. Some people will source all of their pet’s medications from online pharmacies as it is often more cost-effective.
Pricing – why are some meds cheaper to buy online than from my vet?
If you’ve ever used an online pet pharmacy or compared prices from them versus your vet, you might have noticed a big difference. This isn’t a case of your vet trying to over-charge you, here are some reasons why this happens:
- Bulk buying power – online pharmacies order large quantities of medication at a time, benefiting from lower supplier prices. Vet practices are rarely ever able to hold such a large stock so won’t get the same discounts.
- Lower overhead costs – a vet practice will have much more overhead costs including salaries for multiple highly trained vets and nurses, staff training, storage and equipment.
- Added safety and convenience – your vet will know your pet’s history, will be able to check the medication themselves and dispense it all under one roof and quicker than an online pharmacy.
Buying online isn’t always cheaper in the long run. You’ll need to pay for a prescription from your vet (to cover their professional time for making and checking the prescription) and shipping costs can add up. So, you’ll want to check the total of these costs is still less than the price of buying the drug from your vet, to make sure it’s cost effective. Many pet owners choose to mix, buying small quantities or cheaper medications from their vets and buying longer-term meds from a reputable online pet pharmacy when it works for them.
Planning ahead
If your pet is on long-term medication that they will need for months or even years, planning ahead can help to reduce the risk of shortages.
If you buy your pet’s meds from your vet practice, let them know you’re running low with plenty of notice (one or two weeks) so they have ample time to order in or source alternatives if needed. Ordering larger quantities at a time can be helpful too if possible. It’s likely that you’ll need to visit your vet for regular medication review appointments so make a note of these in your calendar and set a reminder for when the next one will be due, so it doesn’t come as a surprise. Being proactive can make a huge difference in reducing stress further down the line.
Things to avoid
When searching for a solution for out-of-stock medication, don’t put your pet at risk.
- Don’t buy from unknown online sellers, overseas pharmacies, and DEFINITELY never buy any medication through social media or other online forums. Counterfeit medications are a real problem and can pose serious health risks. Only buy from reputable, trusted, and regulated pet pharmacies.
- Don’t use leftover meds from other pets, even if they’re similar. Every pet is unique and different dosages and formulations can be harmful.
- Don’t wait until you’ve completely run out (or only have a day left). This makes the situation harder to fix and more stressful if there is a supply issue.
Key takeaways
As always, closely monitor your pet, especially if their usual medication has changed in formulation or dose. If you notice anything concerning, contact your vet as soon as possible.
There is almost always a solution to stock or supply issues so try not to worry. Your vet is your best resource and can help you navigate the problem safely, ensuring your furry friend stays comfortable and healthy.
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