Local Veterinarians

Why is it that local Vets are so against giving prescriptions so their patients can order things like heartworm medications from PetMEDs or cheaper antibiotics from Walmart. They keep saying something about PetMeds selling illegal Medication and are violating FDA regulations but won't tel you how. I know PetMeds are a hell of a lot cheaper sometime half the prices the Vet charges.
Another example of our neighbors ripping us off.

It is my understanding that they "have" to by law. The reason they give you such a hard time is that it's less money in their pockets. I have gone to 3 different Vets here on the beach and have always asserted my rights when it comes to this issue. I have always gotten what I was requesting. If you don't, take your business elsewhere. Pet care is just that. Taking care of your pets. Not the almighty $$$$. Also be aware that the information that they're trying to sell you is incorrect. I have been buying cheaper pet meds for years from internet sites and have NEVER had a problem. Hope this helps you.

I loved my vet in Manteo but after a certain point realized the Hills Science Diet food was actually harming my cat.

So after I started her on regular, store-bought Fancy Feast cans and Cat Chow dry (both 100% American-made by Purina withOUT melamine, btw) she thrived!

Screw that $2.00 a can stuff! Pet Gallery wasn't much better, either.

I have taken my dogs to 3 different vets here also the past 15 years and they are good for awhile, then they start telling you things that are not really wrong with your pet and charging you for it. One vet was running a bill for teeth cleaning of a small dog and was later told that it would cost $300+ dollars to clean my dog's teeth! What the hell.... Average cleaning used to be not over $100. I think they are trying to pad everything like all other businesses, however it is unfortunately our our pets' health expense. Where is the regular local person working here on the Outer Banks going to come up with this type of money when there are no jobs, and economy is bad. Some vets just really take advantgage of a situation. It's like another "HEALTH CARE ISSUE" except for our pets!

Check out Dr. Shay at Nags Head Animal Clinic. He seems very nice, doesn't push unneeded procedures, and genuinely seems to care about your animal. I took my dog in for a problem and he only charged me for the medicine ($15) not the exam.

Dr Dowdy, the mobile vet comes to your house and will give you a prescription so you can order meds elsewhere. Also, he's doesn't guilt you into doing things that are not necessary.

I've heard great things about him too!

Dr. Shay is the best vet around. I'm sure he charges as much as everyone else, but always takes the time to talk with you about your pet's health and answers all your question. Willing to talk with you on the phone if you have additional questions. Dr. Shay has also recommended not doing certain things with my cats, so he cut his own bill by doing.

Sure miss Dr. Shay at the vet's here in Southern Shores. Thanks for telling us where he relocated.

Lost a dog to bloat many years ago because a S.S. vet waited over 2 hours to attempt surgery.(He wouldn't even do the surgery himself.) Brought in another vet on the beach, and that wait was a certain death sentence for my beloved dog. A second vet was over vaccinating both of my dogs. In the course of 3 years, when they were boarded at their facilities, they were given vacinations that weren't due for 6 months, 4 months, and 2 years. When I questioned this, I was not charged, and was told it wouldn't "hurt" them. I was also told maybe they should stop giving me their records. Because I kept on top of their shots and the dates they were given, I was the problem??? At yet another vet, I recently lost a dog to cancer. My dog was vomitting constantly for months. On the very first visit, I asked if it could be a tumor and was told "no". After spending close to a $1000 with this vet and watching my dog's health progressively get worse, I went elsewhere. Only to find the cancer was to far spread to save her life. I also know for a fact that years ago, all of the "beach" vets would regularly meet at a popular restaurant. Knowing the owner personally, I asked him "What was up?". I was told they meet regularly to discuss "setting prices".(Basically so they're not competing with each other.) I no longer trust any of the vets on this beach and have found a great vet over the bridge. My dogs are like my children. Would you settle for anything less than the best for them?

A local vet diagnosed our cat with kidney failure. He wanted to put him to sleep we said NO. We changed his diet and gave him fluids everyday, he 3 more years. When he was near the end we took him in and even thou he only had hours to live they gave him a Rabies shot, now that is wanting $$$ bad./ Another cat became ill changed vets. He said it was his teeth and he would have to remove them, but before he could do it we would have to give antibiotics for several weeks. When we went back for the dental work The vet changed his mind. At this time the cat was healthy enough for the surgery, the Vet kept pulling us around until the cat was to weak for surgery. On a Friday he gave us a 30 day supply of pills, the cat passed the next day. When we called to let them know and cancel the next appointment, the Vet said I knew he would not last the week end. If he knew this why did he SELL us 30 pills $$$. I am DONE with Vets in Dare County.

Who are these Dare County vets you and Max are venting about? My personal experience with four dogs and the vets here has been fine.

We have used the S.S Vet for many years.
He cared when he first started. Had a 8:30 appointment for yearly shots waited until 10:30.
The girl made the statement "we are kind of busy",
well they made the appointment time! Another time they left my wife sitting with our cat and said "oh we forgot about you".
Moved to N.H Dr. Shay. He was okay until we had a emergency than all of the vets refer you to VA. Except one, Roanoke Island Animal Clinic and Dr. Sara Beth Belton. They came out and took care of the emergency and we were not even their customers, until than. They showed real caring for us and our animals.
Now we drive from Currituck past all of the other vets to Manteo. The best service at the beach

I go to Roanoke Island Animal Clinic and have been very happy with Dr. Burkhart. I have tried many of the vets down here and this is the only one that I trust with my six cats.

As far as the cheaper meds on PetMeds, if you are 100% certain that those meds come from the manufacturer stated on the label, then by all means use them. If you are not 100% certain, are you willing to risk your pet's life? Some companies on the internet get their meds from someplace other than the manufacturer listed on the label. For me, it is not worth the risk. That may be why some vets will not give you an RX. They know the junk that is on the internet market. Plus it's the law in NC. Not sure why but it is.

Here's a way to save some $$$$. For six cats, my vet advised me that I could purchase one large DOG sized Revolution tube that would cover six cats. Cost -$25. Cost of six cat sized tubes -$75

I go to Dr. Shea @ NH animal clinic. He is wonderful & takes the time to hear all your concerns. He always returns my phone call & gives me an honest answer. I will return to Dr. Shea time and time again. If I can't afford the animal medication & you can buy it at a pharmacy for less he writes me a RX. It's hard enough to find a human physician you can trust. Now I have both! If you're not happy with your current vet give him a try, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Thank you. I used to take my dogs to Dr. Shea when he was with Martins Point because its close to where we live, but since he is in Manteo, so I started going back to the animal care in Kitty Hawk because of convenience but they pad everything. I agree... Dr. Shea is the best!

kdher wrote:

Check out Dr. Shay at Nags Head Animal Clinic. He seems very nice, doesn't push unneeded procedures, and genuinely seems to care about your animal. I took my dog in for a problem and he only charged me for the medicine ($15) not the exam.

Totally Agree wrote:

A local vet diagnosed our cat with kidney failure. He wanted to put him to sleep we said NO. We changed his diet and gave him fluids everyday, he 3 more years. When he was near the end we took him in and even thou he only had hours to live they gave him a Rabies shot, now that is wanting $$$ bad./ Another cat became ill changed vets. He said it was his teeth and he would have to remove them, but before he could do it we would have to give antibiotics for several weeks. When we went back for the dental work The vet changed his mind. At this time the cat was healthy enough for the surgery, the Vet kept pulling us around until the cat was to weak for surgery. On a Friday he gave us a 30 day supply of pills, the cat passed the next day. When we called to let them know and cancel the next appointment, the Vet said I knew he would not last the week end. If he knew this why did he SELL us 30 pills $$$. I am DONE with Vets in Dare County.

Regarding the rabies vaccine, it is required BY LAW that any pet that enters an animal hospital be current or vaccinated immediately when entering the facility. It could cost a veterinarian his/her license, so don't take it personally. I know it was your beloved pet but its their life that could be at stake. Also, after my pet passed away I returned the unused meds that my dog was on and they offered a credit on my account, maybe it would work for you also. So sorry for your loss.

LMKitties wrote:

Plus it's the law in NC

What's the Law, that they can't write prescriptions?

Damn Suggest, we agree on Dr. Shay. Hope springs eternal!!!!! See ya at the finish line tomorrow!

Love the dogs wrote:

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Also, after my pet passed away I returned the unused meds that my dog was on and they offered a credit on my account.

Now that's against the law, unless the bottle was still sealed.