The next time I take my dog to her vet, I thought I might bring the nutritional supplements that I take for arthritis, and ask him if I could use them for my dog, instead of the Cosequin he prescribed.
The supplements I take are made in a lab that follows the GMP for pharmaceuticals, and guarantees for potency, uniformity, etc. I trust the company, so it isn’t like I want to replace the Cosequin with a generic product that may not be held to any standards.
My main reason is cost. The cosequin is much more expensive.
Do you think my vet would be offended if I asked?
Would it be unfair of me to think he could look at the ingredients and the dosage of each tablet and say that my product would be OK for my dog?
Would it be unfair to ask him to calculate the correct dosage for my dog?
Because of the cost of the Cosequin, I am assuming there is some mark-up that the vet receives, so I have been hesitant to ask him about switching.
But I really would like to use the product I am able to get at a discount, rather than the expensive version.
Has anyone else asked their vet about this? Any vets have an opinion on how to go about this?
I manage a vet hospital and we get requests like this all the time. We usually try to cooperate- just provide the label for your vet so they can see the ingredients. What is annoying is that people think we know every ingredient on every product and who carries what and at what price- so if you provide the info, that will help alot. If I were you , I would call the receptionist and let them know you are faxing that over and to please have the doctor or tech call you back after the vet has looked at it.
I know we have lots of clients who get glucosamine, shark’s cartlidge, etc from health food stores.
Also ask if you can feed the equine grade Cosequin (it comes in a powder) as it is significantly less expensive. (example: 280g jar for $64, equivalent to 350 large-dog doses (800mg). As I read it, that’s 1/3 the cost for the exact same product. Just ask your vet for a correct measure (the scoop that comes with the jar is measured for horses)
Valley vet is a reputable supplier. No prescription is required.
Thanks for the info. I was hoping that if I had one specific product in mind, it wouldn’t be that much trouble for them. And bring it over ahead of time is a good idea.
I think I may be using the equine grade powder. When the vet diagnosised my dog with arthritis, he told me about Cosequin, and thought I might be familiar with it because I own horses. He mentioned that what he used was the same product. I didn’t realize there were dog and horse versions. He also mentioned that he uses the same stuff for his own arthritis, puts a spoonful in his coffee every morning.
The prices you mention are MUCH less than what I am paying. I am getting 100 grams for $89.00.
If the vet doesn’t think the supplements I use would work for a dog, I will look at getting the equine version at the supplier you mentioned.
That wouldn’t be too surprising, if you’ve been buying directly from the vet’s office and getting the little pills. No offense to them, they have to make a living too, they just usually are more expensive due to low volume of sales. I mean, a tub of bute powder costs $44 from the vet; $26 from an online pharmacy.
Although the human, dog and equine -labeled Cosequin sell at different price points, even for the dog tablets, you could getting them for a heck of a lot less than you’re paying now!
At Smartpakvery reputable supplier, you get 120 (800mg) tablets for $54 (or 28 days for $13, PM if you have questions about the Smartpak service.)
I have been buying a baggy of powder every two months. ( The vet puts 100 grams in it, and lables it). So I am thinking I am already using the equine version.
I don’t fault the vet at all. Before I found him, I had been to 6 others that recommended we put our rescue puppy down. Now, nine years later, she is still going strong. So I am a huge fan of his. I am quite sure we put our vet’s kids through college, and were suprised we weren’t invited to the graduation ceremonies. But I understand they do need to make a living too. Our dog is on some other meds as it is, so I really would like to save on the Cosequin if I could.
But I understand they do need to make a living too. Our dog is on some other meds as it is, so I really would like to save on the Cosequin if I could.