Forum Topic

Vets - best value locally?

Has anyone checked out the costs and services the local vets charge and have any opinions?I have to take an elderly cat for a complete check up and wonder if they all price themselves the same (an arm and a leg) or whether there is one which stands out as accepting a knee cap?  :-)

Sarah Felstead ● 6443d18 Comments

I understand the prescription allows me to obtain exactly the same drug as the Vet sells - the on line vet requires a prescription from the vet before they will let me have the drug.  The sites I have looked at show the same packaging and make as the ones I bought directly from the vet - but I don't want to find the company is selling fake versions and I don't know how to get around that!  Any advice?

Sarah Felstead ● 6406d

Only problem you may find is that effective drugs can only be prescribed.  You can find cheaper but they are not too effective.  Pets at home also sell them on prescription and are around £30 for six months of flee control and worming tablet.

Tracy Burke ● 6406d

Very happy with Youngs in Brentford - parking is no problem and it is free for the first hour.They gave me a prescription for two types of worm/flea treatment as it is cheaper on line - trouble is how do I work out if the drugs are the real thing and not fakes?  Has anyone bought any drugs from an online chemist and can recommend a web site?CheersI am looking for Stronghold 45mg and Profender 5-8kg dose.

Sarah Felstead ● 6406d

This is all very useful, thanks.Cat is suffering this morning after the injection yesterday - not at all happy.  No purrs and didn't want to eat breakfast.  I found myself explaining to youngest son about how babies get calpol after their injections, just in case.  :-(

Sarah Felstead ● 6440d

I give mine a mixture of dry and soft.  Every now and then he gets a real treat of boiled cod fillet.Pets at home now do Frontline. You can buy it over the counter from their registered person.  With regards to worming tablets, they now do both which are equal (makes it easier to apply).

Tracy Burke ● 6440d

The problem with dry food especially with older cats is kidney troubles which they seem rather prone to and they don't naturally drink a lot, so I only used to give it as a treat to the two old ones. I have recently had my biggest boy's choppers de-scaled (nearly £200 and not claimable on the insurance!) - if you're brave enough you can buy a Tea Tree Oil toothpaste in Petsmart or whatever they are and give that a bash. You can buy commercial worming pills but I think the one to look for is Drontal, I'm pretty sure you can get it online, I'll try and find the firm I bought the Frontline off as they do heaps of stuff.

Vanessa Smith ● 6440d

The problem with dry food especially with older cats is kidney troubles which they seem rather prone to and they don't naturally drink a lot, so I only used to give it as a treat to the two old ones. I have recently had my biggest boy's choppers de-scaled (nearly £200 and not claimable on the insurance!) - if you're brave enough you can buy a Tea Tree Oil toothpaste in Petsmart or whatever they are and give that a bash. You can buy commercial worming pills but I think the one to look for is Drontal, I'm pretty sure you can get it online, I'll try and find the firm I bought the Frontline off as they do heaps of stuff.

Vanessa Smith ● 6440d

Apparently the dry food is better for the teeth than the wet stuff, so I thought I would check the Hills range out.  The cat seems to pretty much eat anything - so fingers crossed.  Do you know anything about worming?  Another cat I take to the vet has tablets which I always find amusing as the cat looks as if he has it tucked in his cheek ready to spit out when we aren't looking.  This time, for this cat, I was given a liquid to give in the same way as the Frontline.  Can worm tablets/liquids only be purchased under the vet?

Sarah Felstead ● 6440d

I buy Frontline online too, but how daft are the vets, surely they realise how many people will do this now so they just lose out on sales, the Hill's diet food is much cheaper online too if you have to buy it, unfortunately my moggies hated it!

Vanessa Smith ● 6440d

Can't believe the mark up on things.  I was told the price of front line flea treatment by the vet in Osterley (for another cat) and then they said I could buy it in Pets at home where it was around a third cheaper!  I then found it on line for a couple of £ even cheaper.I have to figure out worming now - any suggestions anyone?

Sarah Felstead ● 6440d

I think the small practices are probably best, I think you get a more personal service, these big affairs are too hell bent on flogging stuff - tests etc. that I think aren't really necessary anyway.

Vanessa Smith ● 6440d

We went to Youngs in Brentford, very happy with the results.  :-)

Sarah Felstead ● 6441d

I'm not sure how they compare with other vets locally in terms of pricing, but in terms of quality of service, P.G Andre at 161 Kew Rd, Richmond(020 8940 0986)is by far the best vet we have ever come across. We wouldn't trust our dogs to anyone else.Mick

Mick Brent ● 6441d

i am not sure, depends on age.  All companies are different would be worth googling that.  But as i use to work in the insurance industry also it would depend on past medical history as they will put exclusions on some conditions.  Hope that helps.

Tracy Burke ● 6441d

Can you take out insurance for an elderly cat?

Sarah Felstead ● 6442d

I always take my cat to Youngs in Brentford (Albany Parade, has free parking too).  He had two major operation (luckly covered by insurance) but they really did look after him well and are always very nice and friendly.

Tracy Burke ● 6442d

Thanks Vanessa.  :-)

Sarah Felstead ● 6442d

I wouldn't touch Medivet, before they got taken over theWhitton Dene practice was brilliant - but Medivet are a big concern and charge the earth. I schlep all the way to Feltham now to Animals are Us, opposite The Airman pub, and I find them O.K. - I think all vets are dear - seems to be some sort of cartel, but at least at AAU they like animals and take time to talk to them and you. They were incredibly good when our dear old puss died in the early hours of  New Year's Day 2007, and also when our other lovely boy had to be put to sleep last November, both our other boys are registered there and we've had no complaints.

Vanessa Smith ● 6442d