Tips for ordering pet medications online

Q: My cats have fleas, so I ordered flea medicine online from a California pet pharmacy. Frankly, I was pleased that the online pharmacy didn’t ask for a veterinarian’s prescription, even though I was under the impression that the medication required one.

A:The easiest way to buy medical products is directly from your veterinarian.

If you prefer to buy online, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) helps you do it safely. Just choose one of the online pet pharmacies listed on their website.

NABP pharmacists research online pet pharmacies and certify only those that meet their strict criteria. These pharmacies are designated as Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites, or Vet-VIPPS.

You can trust a Vet-VIPPS online pharmacy to dispense legitimate medication that was stored and shipped at the proper temperature and humidity so its potency is maintained.

Not requiring a veterinarian’s prescription for a prescription-only medication should have made you suspicious that the drug you would receive wasn’t authentic. The next time something sounds too good to be true, walk away.

To protect your cats’ health, buy only from your regular veterinarian or a Vet-VIPPS pet pharmacy and invest in cat insurance!

Lee Pickett, V.M.D. practices companion animal medicine in Pennsylvania. Contact her at askdrlee@insurefigo.com.