Pet meds

I've got a dog that periodically gets ear infections. She has a very high pain tolerance, so by the time that she brings it to our attention it's advanced to the point where if it were me I'd be in the ER.  Problem is, where I live vets are typically booked a least several days out. And the local pet emergency centers are quite pricey. What's frustrating is that I know what my dog needs, so it's basically an annoying and expensive formality. Is there a way to get antibiotics without a prescription?

In reply to Kreb (Forum Supporter) :

Talk to your vet(s) about:

1. The ability to get a prescription written for this recurring issue via a phone consultation.
2. The ability to get X number of recurrences worth of refills added to the prescription.

Do you have a young(ish) child?

Our pediatrician was the type that would either give us a pre-signed prescription to hold in reserve, or would specify that the pharmacy dispense it in powdered form so we could keep it in the closet.  Then when we needed it, we'd take a bottle out, add distilled water, and dose as needed.

Perhaps your vet is willing to do this, or if not, your pediatrician is.  The bubblegum flavored amoxicillin is identical to the tuna flavored stuff they give pets.

also take your prescripyion to your local pharmacy. same meds through cvs were $8, $90 from the vet

In reply to bobzilla :

Yeah, our vet has sent an Rx to Publix. I think it was free. 

bobzilla said:

also take your prescripyion to your local pharmacy. same meds through cvs were $8, $90 from the vet

And they are typically cheaper online from pet RX "fillers." Just gotta have that scrip. 

In reply to z31maniac :

maybe specialty items, like the pancrea powder for dogs, but the generic antibiotics/steroids will usually be cheaper and faster through a local pharmacy and using the goodRX app.

Thanks, guys!

bobzilla said:

In reply to z31maniac :

maybe specialty items, like the pancrea powder for dogs, but the generic antibiotics/steroids will usually be cheaper and faster through a local pharmacy and using the goodRX app.

I wouldn't know. The other half takes care of that. 

Once we found the reason for two trips to emergency room was because of the animals (went to the allergy doc), they would have been gone. But we've found a regiment of drugs and eye drops that keep it in check most of the time now. 

My eye doc gave me a standing prescription to some eye antibiotic because I get blepharitis so often. 

check out tele vet clinics... we have a pet care plan for our dog through Chewy "Peanut butter box is here..." and they offer tele-vet service that can write prescriptions...  

a bit off topic or at least not an answer to your question but chronic ear infections in a dog are often a sign of an allergy, might be worth having him allergy tested.

I'm always cautious about how much to respond to these discussions. There's a fine line between commenting and giving medical advice. The former is ok, the latter would be unethical.

That said, I'll make a few comments.

First, dogs don't just "get" ear infections, and to quote one of the dermatology lectures I've attended, there are three causes: allergies, allergies and allergies. That means that there will be flare ups, so my goal is always to decrease the frequency and severity, hopefully providing the owner with tools and a plan for managing the minor ones without requiring the time and expense of my involvement.

Secondly, while I see several of these per week, and sometimes per day, I haven't used oral antibiotics for years. You can't get a high enough concentration of the antibiotic without putting it in the ear itself. Steroids are another matter, but used chronically and/or repeatedly, can result in a lot bigger problems. That includes the topical steroids in the ear medications.

I see a lot of dogs with recurring otitis, and one of the most important parts of managing them is how you deal with the ears when they're not infected. These dogs need the ears cleaned twice weekly with a therapeutic cleaner. Ear cleaners from the pet store or some random pet supply website aren't going to suffice. Daily cleaning will cause the skin to dry out and crack, but a few consecutive days may be enough to settle a low level relapse. You've got to have the right product though.

Technique makes a difference also. I don't squirt the ear cleaner straight from the bottle into the ear. It's uncomfortable for the dog, which makes it harder for both of you. I saturate a cotton ball, and stuff the cotton ball down in the ear. The dog ear canal is like a funnel with a bend in it, you can't get the cotton ball stuck unless you're really determined. Massage the ear for several seconds, then pull the cotton ball out.

Unless you live in the desert where fleas can't survive, keep all of the pets in the home on an effective flea control product. That most definitely includes indoor cats. Fleas don't cause otitis, but any source of inflammation will worsen the problem.

veterinary partner.com is a good resource.