08/04/2026
While this is not a new issue, we thought it would be important to discuss online pharmacies and prescription medications.
All antibiotics and most other medications that we dispense (including heartworm prevention) are restricted to being sold by prescription only. This means that you cannot go to a store and buy medications without approval of a veterinarian to deem that the dosing is safe for a given patient. Per Ohio Pharmacy law, an animal must have been examined within the last 12 calendar months in order to continue prescribing medications. While we do not currently offer video chat appointments, Ohio veterinarians can also legally prescribe up to 2 weeks worth of medication if indicated from a video chat appointment. Most medications are strictly regulated by the FDA or the EPA (topical or collar-type flea/tick products) to ensure patient safety.
OTC flea/tick products (like Frontline and Advantage) are available for purchase without a prescription as they are considered safer, but it's always important to read all directions on the packaging. Some products labeled for dogs are EXTREMELY toxic to cats.
We appreciate all of our clients that choose to support small businesses and buy products from us, but you are not obligated to do so. While we frequently dispense prescription medications in hospital, it is absolutely your right as an owner to request a prescription to fill through another pharmacy. We commonly offer medications through our online pharmacy for those that live too far from our facility or prefer a product that we don't normally stock. Dr. Aanestad will happily provide you with a written prescription at no cost if you intend to fill through any other facility.
While these are state and federal laws that we have to follow, there are some websites (which we will not be listing here) that advertise prescription medication without the need for a written prescription. These are international entities that source medications from other countries and illegally import them to pet owners in the United States. As these are foreign companies, the FDA has no authority to regulate these shipments. While prices may be competitive or cheaper than other options, we're here to remind you: if it sounds too good to be true -it probably is.
Counterfeit medications are becoming more and more common, and with no oversight to ensure a product is what it claims to be, you risk buying fake medications or an incorrect dose of a drug (which can still be harmful/lethal depending on the situation). Most all flea/tick/heartworm products are produced by pharmaceutical companies based in the US -if your shipment originates from a foreign country or has labeling in kilograms (instead of pounds) there is much higher risk of the product not being legitimate. PLEASE use caution when buying products online and only use US-based pharmacies (Chewy, Allivet, 1800PetMeds, etc) to ensure you get the correct product for your animals. This warning also applies to websites that allow 3rd party resellers like Amazon and eBay.
If you want a prescription for a medication or just have questions, just give us a call. We're here to help!
