Heartguard Plus

[SubMariner]

The time has come for us to get a new supply of Heartguard Plus chewables for Zio. However, I keep seeing generics of this available for a much lower price. Has anyone had experience with them? Does the dog take them as readily as the name brand? Any pros/cons?

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. We have a month before he needs a new batch.

Thanks!

[mcbosco]

actually that sounds like a good idea, what kind of prices are you seeing for 6 count, 51-100lbs?
Dr. Foster & Smith has a few.

[1vizsla]

I know www.kvvet.com had a sale going, might check. We use Interceptor so I don't remember the heartguard type products prices.

Carla

[Birddog3412]

When Heartguard Plus came out, it is just like all drugs. There is a patten on it for so long (the price is really high at this time) then after the patten runs out everyone starts making the generics at a lower price. Talk to a vet, compare the ingredients, should not be a problem switching.

[vabrittfan]

I did a lot of research on this and still never felt entirely comfortable with the generics so I just found a cheaper place to buy Heartgard from. You can purchase it in Australia without a Rx. Even with shipping cost it is still much cheaper than anywhere else. It takes about 10 days or so to arrive. I've been ordering from the same company for over 2 years now. This is Heartgard Plus made by Merial for sale in Australia so its only listed in kg rather than lbs but its the same stuff.

[SubMariner]

I did a lot of research on this and still never felt entirely comfortable with the generics so I just found a cheaper place to buy Heartgard from. You can purchase it in Australia without a Rx. Even with shipping cost it is still much cheaper than anywhere else. It takes about 10 days or so to arrive. I've been ordering from the same company for over 2 years now. This is Heartgard Plus made by Merial for sale in Australia so its only listed in kg rather than lbs but its the same stuff.

Coincidentally, several of the online places with prices that were significantly cheaper were getting their product from either Germany or Australia. Of course the problem is the long lead in time: at least 14 business days in most cases.

However, would you be willing to post a link to your source? It would be good to have access to one that a fellow board member has a history with.

Thanks!

[M1Tanker]

SM...search the forum for threads on "Ivomec"...could save yourself a ton of money. Of course if you only have 1 dog, the bill isn't as big as having 4+...but worth a look.

[vabrittfan]

However, would you be willing to post a link to your source? It would be good to have access to one that a fellow board member has a history with.

Thanks!

I use http://www.deadfleaz.com I usually get what I need pretty quickly. (approx 7-10 days) I just order as soon as I give the last dose so I have it in time for the following month. I've purchased from them for about 2 years now & am very happy with them.

[SubMariner]

However, would you be willing to post a link to your source? It would be good to have access to one that a fellow board member has a history with.

Thanks!

I use http://www.deadfleaz.com I usually get what I need pretty quickly. (approx 7-10 days) I just order as soon as I give the last dose so I have it in time for the following month. I've purchased from them for about 2 years now & am very happy with them.

Thanks!

[dog dr]

might try asking your local vet if he will match that price for you. many will, and you could save yourself the shipping cost, plus keep your $$ in the states. might help him be a little more likely to answer the phone in the middle of the night, too, if need be....

[twofeathers]

I did a lot of research on this and still never felt entirely comfortable with the generics so I just found a cheaper place to buy Heartgard from. You can purchase it in Australia without a Rx. Even with shipping cost it is still much cheaper than anywhere else. It takes about 10 days or so to arrive. I've been ordering from the same company for over 2 years now. This is Heartgard Plus made by Merial for sale in Australia so its only listed in kg rather than lbs but its the same stuff.

Thanks for the onfo. Looked it up and there was a $1.82 savings on the Heartguard Plus. Were you saving more than that before?

[vabrittfan]

My vet is great about working with me on payments if I have a huge un-expected vet bill or when I was fostering for Brittany rescue & waiting on reimbursement, but they will not do anything to help cut the cost of Rx. I guess its one of the few ways they make money. (although one of the younger vets in the practice will call my dog’s long term Prednisone in to Wal-mart rather than make me fill it with them as its on the $4 generic list)

As for the Heartgard Plus prices the Deadfleaz website even with shipping is about ½ the cost of my local vet. Obviously if my savings were only $2 I wouldn't bother with it either.

Oh & the vets here don't answer you call in the middle of the night. You get referred to the ER vet.

[dog dr]

well, if you call me in the night, i will answer the phone!. however, i am afraid the trip fee might be cost prohibitive!!

[SubMariner]

might try asking your local vet if he will match that price for you. many will, and you could save yourself the shipping cost, plus keep your $$ in the states. might help him be a little more likely to answer the phone in the middle of the night, too, if need be....

I was thinking that myself. I had called the Vet's prior to looking online & was quoted ~$43.00 for 6 month's worth. Well, with the exception of the places off continent, by the time I added in the shipping costs, they pretty much came in at the same pricing. So I guess it's go to the off-continent places & wait approx 2 weeks or get it locally whenever I wanted for more $.

[vabrittfan]

well, if you call me in the night, i will answer the phone!. however, i am afraid the trip fee might be cost prohibitive!!

Yeah a trip to Virginia probably would cost me more than a trip to the ER vet. I will say that for the most part my vets are very reasonably priced. The vet that owns the practice & one of the younger vets are very very good but the 2 female vets are complete idiots (and I'm female myself). They are very good about telling me all my options (even the very high priced ones) & offering referrals to a specialist if I feel that I need something beyond their diagnosis. The younger vet is the one that has been treating my IMHA Britt. He has hung with us for over a year now.

He has even offered if I needed it to come in on his day off to see Tanner if I needed him too. Unfortunately, they were closed when I had to have my German Shepherd put down in November & I had to go to a different vet & they gave me the 3rd degree about putting down my very obviously very sick German Shepherd. (I was already distraught over having to make the decison & go by myself because my husband wouldn't go) Now that would have been a time I wish they would have taken my call on an off day and come in to help me out but we just didn't think it was fair to let her suffer. This was over Thanksgiving weekend.

Believe me I value my vet! (and everyone in the practice knows I will not be seen by that idiot woman that works there....she refused to give me a health certificate one time to ship a puppy because in her opinion shipping a puppy was akin to causing its death!)

[twofeathers]

I did a lot of research on this and still never felt entirely comfortable with the generics so I just found a cheaper place to buy Heartgard from. You can purchase it in Australia without a Rx. Even with shipping cost it is still much cheaper than anywhere else. It takes about 10 days or so to arrive. I've been ordering from the same company for over 2 years now. This is Heartgard Plus made by Merial for sale in Australia so its only listed in kg rather than lbs but its the same stuff.

Thanks for the onfo. Looked it up and there was a $1.82 savings on the Heartguard Plus. Were you saving more than that before?

Do you have to buy heartguard plus from a vet? If so why? Aren't the "doses" set up by weight of the dog. The $2 savings I was refering to were over petmeds.

[vabrittfan]

You have to purchase it from a vet or your vet has to write you a Rx to purchase it elsewhere. As I mentioned I purchase mine in Australia (where no Rx is required). It is cheaper for me. Sounds like it is not cheaper for everyone though.