Why does my pet need to be examined before more prescription medication is supplied?
We understand it can sometimes feel inconvenient to bring your pet in for a check-up before continuing medication. Occasionally, this requirement may even raise concerns about unnecessary appointments. However, these reviews are essential for your pet’s safety, wellbeing, and to meet our professional and legal responsibilities. We hope the information below explains why our nurses may advise that a veterinary examination is needed before further medication can be dispensed.
Ongoing monitoring keeps your pet safe
Any pet receiving prescription medication must be monitored regularly. In most cases, this means an examination at least every six months, although some conditions or medications require more frequent checks.
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Assess how well the condition is being controlled.
Many diseases require dose adjustments over time. Monitoring may involve physical examinations, blood tests, or specific tests (for example, tear production tests for dry eye). Medication doses often need to be increased, reduced, or fine-tuned based on these results. -
Check for side effects.
All prescription medications carry potential risks. Regular examinations help us detect early warning signs so we can adjust or change treatment before serious problems develop.
For example:- Steroid medications such as prednisolone can lead to weight gain, changes in skin and body shape, infections, or diabetes if not carefully monitored.
- Arthritis medications may affect the liver or stomach.
- Some heart medications can impact kidney function.
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Identify changes in your pet’s health.
Diseases can progress or change over time, and new conditions can develop — particularly in older pets. Some new illnesses may be influenced by existing medication, so early detection is very important. Six months is a significant period in a pet’s life, and much can change during that time.
Legal requirements
Prescription-only (S4) medications can legally be supplied only to animals that are considered “under our care.” This means we must examine your pet as often as necessary to ensure the condition is stable, the treatment remains appropriate, and the medication is still required.
Accurate dosing matters
Many medications are prescribed according to body weight (mg per kg). Regular weigh-ins ensure your pet is receiving a safe and effective dose.
When you need more medication
If you notice your pet’s medication is running low, please call the clinic. A nurse will review your pet’s record and let you know if a prescription check is due. If required, we can book the appointment during that call.
If you drop in without calling ahead, a veterinarian must still authorise and sign the prescription. This may involve a wait of approximately 15 minutes (depending on availability), and if a check-up is overdue, we may be unable to supply the medication at that time.
In most cases, requested medications can be prepared for collection by 5pm on the same day. However, if your pet is on a less commonly stocked medication, we recommend giving at least one week’s notice to ensure availability.
If your pet has not been seen in over six months
We are unable to dispense prescription medications if more than six months have passed since your pet’s last examination. The visit does not need to be specifically for the condition being treated — vaccinations or minor illness appointments are acceptable, provided a full physical examination was performed.
In the case of a genuine family emergency, we may be able to provide a small emergency supply (approximately one week), at the veterinarian’s discretion.
We appreciate your understanding. These checks are not about inconvenience — they are about ensuring your pet receives safe, appropriate, and effective care.
