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PHARMACY
At West Ridge Animal Hospital, we stock a wide range of medications available for use in treating our patients in the hospital and for dispensing. This includes both injectable and oral medications for treating specific illnesses, as well as medications to help keep your pets healthy and pain-free.
We routinely stock all sizes of deworming and heartworm medications, as well as flea and tick preventives. We also carry multiple anti-inflammatory and pain medications, antibiotics, and special diets and treats. You are always welcome to pursue our many over-the-counter products, including veterinary recommended dental chews, rinses, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoos, toys, treats, and our full line of specialty products for birds.
Clients may call our prescription line at any time and leave a message regarding patient refill medications; typically our staff will have in-stock refills authorized and ready the same day, or by the following day. We can accommodate special-order medications, insulin and/or diabetic patient needs, and prescription diet orders, as well. We are available for prescription pick-ups seven days a week during our normal business hours, including Sundays.
We work closely with our pharmaceutical company representatives to make certain the medications your pet receives are safe, accurate, and effective. Our pharmaceutical representatives guarantee their products.
Most importantly, at West Ridge Animal Hospital we dedicate ourselves to establishing a relationship with you and your pet. We will be there to provide you with the guidance and information you need throughout your pet’s lifetime. All prescription medications are reviewed and dispensed by our veterinarians and technicians; our goal is to avoid any potentially serious drug reactions or side effects that may result from medications your pet is taking. We want to do all we can to keep your furry and feathered family members happy and healthy.
Additionally, we offer a Pharmacy Rewards Program designed to save you money; it’s easy to sign up and free of charge.
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1. I want to get my medications from an online drug store, is it safe?
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a. Unfortunately there are not enough regulations on the online pet drug stores. The Federal Drug Administration recently released an article entitled: Purchasing Pet Drugs Online, Buyer Beware. The FDA stated that they had found that companies were selling unapproved pet drugs and counterfeit products, making fraudulent claims, and dispensing prescriptions medications without requires prescriptions, as well as selling expired medications. The most common pet medications purchased online are pain relief medications and heartworm preventatives. The FDA noted that ONLY a veterinarian should prescribe and dispense pain medications (especially if they are an NSAID, e.g. Rimadyl) as animals should have blood work prior to taking these medications. If your pet is on a pain relief medication they should be monitored and assessed by a veterinarian. Additionally, animals taking a heart worm preventative need to be tested yearly for heartworms. Giving this medication if your pet is positive can have deadly side effects.
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b. West Ridge Animal Hospital offers our own online pharmacy ordering system for your convenience. Our medications are dispensed by YOUR veterinarian who has seen and treated your pet. The dosing amounts are verified by two technicians and a doctor prior to being sent to you. We take EVERY precaution to make sure that your pet received the care he deserves.
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2. My pet won’t take his medications, can I bring them back?
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a. Legally, we cannot take back medications that have left our building, even if they are un-opened. For this reason, we two certified technicians sign off on your medication dispensing and dosing amounts as well as a veterinarian. Occasionally we can offer you samples of routine medications (such as heartworm medications, rimadyl, and flea and tick preventatives) for you to try prior to purchasing an entire course of the medication.
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3. You haven’t seen my pet, but I need to get a prescription filled, can you fill it for me?
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a. At West Ridge Animal Hospital we celebrate the bond between pets and their people. While we are more than happy to meet with you, examine your pet and verify the prescription from your normal veterinarian, we cannot ethically prescribe medications to an animal that we have never seen.
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4. Do I need a prescription to purchase prescription diets for my pets?
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a. Yes. Prescription diets are engineered to treat or assist in treating diagnosed issues that your pet is exhibiting. However, if you have a concern about your pet’s health, please do not hesitate to call your veterinarian or schedule an examination.
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5. Why do you require blood work to refill my pet’s medications?
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a. Blood work is occasionally required depending on the medications that your pet is on. Just like medications for people, our pet’s medications can have side effects, can affect each pet a little differently, and may require monitoring to determine the right dosing amount (e.g. determining thyroid levels for appropriate thyroid medications). We want to make sure that any medication we give to your pet remains appropriate and safe for them. Your veterinarian will talk with you about if blood work is required and how often.
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