Prescription costs

I have a 15 year old cat who requires Thyronorm everyday. Recently due to personal circumstances my income has been reduced. I am NOT on benefits. The vet I used to take him to is refusing to give me a new prescription unless I pay the consult fee so she can weigh him. The consult fee and the prescription fee total £150. I simply cannot afford that extortionate fee. I could probably just about afford the medication. If I lived of tinned soup for a week. Is there ANYONE out there that could give or get me a prescription or anyone with spare meds? He has been off them since the bottle ran out months ago. he is super skinny and hungry all the time. at present I am feeding him 5-8 tins of high quality meat to keep him going. I'm really at a loss here because he is just getting worse. ANY help would be very much appreciated.

Hello and first, I'm so sorry to hear that yourself and your cat find yourselves in this situation.   There are indeed requirements on vets to see animals regularly enough when they prescribe medications; some variation may exist between vets and pets and situations, but the bottom line is that a vet needs to be confident that the drug and dose are appropriate for that animal; all clinicians will reach a point when they cannot be confident of this anymore without examining or testing the patient.  We would reccommend speaking to your vet when financial problems arise in order that they are fully aware - some flexibility may be available - but a vet would be held as negligent for prescribing drugs for an animal that they hasn't examined frequently enough to maintain good welfare.  This is not just about weighing; it should involve an examination and potentially assessment of the kidneys.  A blood test wouldnt necessarily be very helpful if the patient is already known to need thyroid drugs and has not been taking them;  it may be that this can wait until regular dosage has been resumed.  However, each vet decides the exact needs in each situation and the Royal College of veterinary surgeons - the people who regulate vets - are clear that cost alone is not a good reason to omit medical checks. I'm sure you are aware that bing chronically hyperthyoid (untreated) does carry risks for your cat.  I hope that you and your vet are able to come up with some agreement in order to keep your loved one as comfortable as possible for as long as possible, within the confines of the rules governing this situation.   Your vet is interpreting these rules, but didn't make them and it is worth mentioning that the requirement to regulate drug prescriptions in situations such as these, also puts a toll on  vets' mental health up and down the uk.   This is a hot topic at the moment; If you search for prescription fees in our blog, you might find out more information. Wishing you and your loved one all the best from here.