Both the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) have posted official warnings on their websites about the dangers of purchasing products from online pet pharmacies.  The FDA has found "companies that sell unapproved pet drugs and counterfeit pet products, make fraudulent claims, dispense prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, and sell expired drugs."  Not all online pharmacies are risky, and those that have been noted as reputable will have a seal on their website saying they are a Vet-VIPPS approved pharmacy.  Look for this label when ordering from an online pharmacy. 

The bottom line is, some drugs that are sold online can not only be unnecessary for your pet, but can be downright dangerous and potentially deadly if given inappropriately.  This is why an examination by a veterinarian is so important before starting a new prescription - we can tell you what medications your pet needs and what (if any) proper monitoring needs to be done while your pet is taking a certain medication.  We also can guarantee where our prescriptions are coming from, that they are handled correctly, and the appropriate precautions will be taken to ensure that your pet is healthy and safe while taking his or her medication. 

For more information on this important topic, please visit the following websites:
FDA:     http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm115432.pdf
AVMA: www.avma.org/issues/prescribing/