If your pet needs medication or specialty food, you have many options to fill the prescription. Should you go to the large pet store on the corner, use the bargain online site, or turn to your veterinarian? Our Advanced Veterinary Care of Pasco team places a priority on your pet’s wellbeing, and we explain why you should fill your pet’s prescriptions at our practice or through our online pharmacy if unable to get it in our clinic.

Maintains the Veterinary-Client Patient Relationship (VCPR)

Establishing and maintaining a VCPR is important to ensure your pet receives the care they need and deserve. Filling your pet’s prescriptions through our veterinarians allows our team to know that the prescription was filled at a reputable pharmacy and helps us maintain well-documented medical records for your pet. Keep reading to learn more about the VCPR:

  • VCPR establishment — According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), “the VCPR is the basis for interaction among the veterinarian, their client, and their patient and is critical to the health of animals.” The relationship is established when our team examines your pet sufficiently to diagnose a medical condition. Other requirements include that the veterinarian assumes responsibility for making clinical judgments regarding your pet, provides follow-up evaluations and oversight on treatment, and maintains thorough and accurate medical records.
  • VCPR maintenance — To maintain a VCPR, your pet must be evaluated by our team in a time frame determined by the veterinarian. Prescribing medication outside the VCPR bounds is considered illegal and unethical.
  • VCPR importance — In Florida, a veterinarian cannot diagnose or treat a pet without a VCPR. The relationship is critical so our team members can familiarize themselves with your pet’s medical history and current health status to provide them with the best possible care.

Ensures your pet’s medications come from a reputable source

Prescription medications must be stored and handled according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) requirements to ensure they are safe and effective. When filling your pet’s prescription from an unknown source, you don’t know if these requirements were followed. For example, if temperature and humidity level recommendations aren’t followed, a drug’s safety and efficacy may be compromised. In addition, some disreputable sites sell drugs past their expiration date or use labeling that is untruthful, misleading, or incomplete. By filling your pet’s prescriptions at our clinic or through our online pharmacy, you can be assured their medication is shipped, stored, and labeled correctly. 

Ensures your pet’s prescription is accurately filled

Before filling your pet’s prescription, our team checks your four-legged friend’s medical record to ensure the concentration, dose, and administration interval are correct. This ensures they receive the appropriate medication and dose for their condition and weight.

Protects your pocketbook

Some online pharmacies offer bargain prices for pet medications and prescription foods, but these sites may not be licensed. In addition, you don’t know for certain that they won’t use your credit card information or steal your identity. Filling your pet’s prescriptions through your veterinarian ensures your information is safe and secure. 

Prevents missed doses for your pet

Using our online pharmacy’s AutoShip option ensures you will never run out of your pet’s medication or food. The process is simple. You create an order, select the items your pet regularly needs (e.g., parasite preventives, pet food, medication), and choose the desired frequency (e.g., every 30, 60, or 90 days, or six or 12 months). Once your pet’s veterinarian approves the prescription, the order is shipped to your address at the requested interval, ensuring your pet’s care is uninterrupted.

Makes shopping for your pet easy and convenient

Our team is here from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and we are happy to fill your pet’s prescriptions and answer any questions you have about their care. However, we understand that you have a hectic life, and dropping by our clinic may not be convenient. In that case, you can access our online pharmacy 24/7, allowing you to order necessary items, such as daily medications, food, treats, and nutritional supplements, whenever you have the time, even if that means 2 o’clock on a Saturday morning. 

Your pet’s medication should come from a reputable source to ensure the product is safe and effective. Contact our Advanced Veterinary Care of Pasco team or visit our online pharmacy to fill your pet’s prescriptions so you can have peace of mind that their medications are labeled, shipped, and stored according to FDA standards.