Flea an tick treatment.

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Discussion

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

27,521 posts

190 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
Our pair have Adocate spot on from the vets. Usually they just issue it an we collect from reception. This time the want a check up òn the dogs.

They never miss their annual jabs and check up, is this a new thing?

Challo

10,830 posts

162 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
PositronicRay said:
Our pair have Adocate spot on from the vets. Usually they just issue it an we collect from reception. This time the want a check up òn the dogs.

They never miss their annual jabs and check up, is this a new thing?
Have you asked the reason for the additional check up? Maybe your dogs are a certain and they feel they would benefit from additional checks.

If you don’t want to do it, just refuse. You can buy spot on treatments online for a lot cheaper.

Zetec-S

6,260 posts

100 months

Tuesday 14th May
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Possibly want to weigh them first?

Lotobear

7,145 posts

135 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
Sounds like an upsell attempt to me.

Rightly or wrongly I don't insure our two Welsh terriers and never take them to the vets for boosters and such like (unless they are unwell) as you are guaranteed to come away with an unexpected bill.

I use a Seresto collar which is 100% effective for fleas and ticks, unlike the various spot on things we've tried. I get the larger one and cut it into two and secure it inside their regular collars with some small cable ties - works a treat, hides the collar of shame, and saves you £40

Tight wad, moi ? biggrin

Simpo Two

87,066 posts

272 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
PositronicRay said:
Our pair have Adocate spot on from the vets. Usually they just issue it an we collect from reception. This time the want a check up òn the dogs.

They never miss their annual jabs and check up, is this a new thing?
I would have asked them at the time, so I could get an immediate accurate answer.

But it's not too late! You can still pick up that telephone thing, call them and ask 'Can you tell me why please?'

Bonefish Blues

29,399 posts

230 months

Tuesday 14th May
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That's typically part of the service if you pay monthly on a plan (every 6 months) Is that the case?

Rough101

2,295 posts

82 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
We were advised that Advocate doesn’t protect against ticks, in tick season we change to Bravecto.

Also our vet needs to see the dogs for every single prescription, despite that fact they would need to double or half inside within a few months to need a different dose. I think that’s a scam to be honest.

Bonefish Blues

29,399 posts

230 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
That's the way the industry is going. Our family practice was sold to the EU's biggest operator last year.

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

27,521 posts

190 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
PositronicRay said:
Our pair have Adocate spot on from the vets. Usually they just issue it an we collect from reception. This time the want a check up òn the dogs.

They never miss their annual jabs and check up, is this a new thing?
I would have asked them at the time, so I could get an immediate accurate answer.

But it's not too late! You can still pick up that telephone thing, call them and ask 'Can you tell me why please?'
I think my wife did ask, but didn't receive a proper answer.

I like this particular practice, local and never has any reason to doubt them before.

Mr.Chips

1,039 posts

221 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
We get our flea and parasite treatment (Advocate) in 3monthly doses from our vet. When we go, the dog gets a checkup at the same time. Typically, he will be weighed, heart and lungs listened to, a check of his abdomen and his limbs/joints. For this we pay £35. To be honest, we think that it is pretty good value and we like the fact that he has a check up every 3 months. In addition, if we have any concerns, they are always happy to check him over and answer any of our questions.

Mr Tom

636 posts

148 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
It’s not a scam or upsell. As of Jan this year the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) changed the way we (as vets) are allowed to prescribe flea and worming treatments.

Animals have always had to be seen by a vet for a physical exam to be able to be prescribed flea and wormer that is POM-V, of which Advocate is one EVERY 12 MONTHS - this is the set by the RCVS.

Flea and worming treatments are now, since January 2024, classified as antimicrobials - these must only be prescribed after a full clinical exam. The intricacies are now that the vet (and only that vet) who has seen the animal in the last 12 months must state what flea and wormer drug, the formulation and the weight catorgory is to be prescribed over the next 12 months. Unless this is stated you will have to be seen by a vet for a PHYSICAL EXAM. Some practices charge, some don’t. I personally think there is a balance, for a 12 month health check, fair enough. Otherwise it is a tricky one, ultimately seeing clients for free isn’t ideal, however if it is down to a vet not putting an authorisation on the account, the charge will be likely waived (we try to keep people happy).

Ultimately extra bureaucracy has been caused by changing the classification of endo and ectoparaciticides to antimicrobials meaning more work for vets of which the cost of our time will be passed on to the client. We don’t want to have to do it as it’s not the best use of our time but we have to.

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-a...

Simpo Two

87,066 posts

272 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
Good answer from the vet there.

Mr Tom said:
Ultimately extra bureaucracy has been caused by changing the classification of endo and ectoparaciticides to antimicrobials...
Butt fleas and ticks aren't microbes, they're insects and arachnids.

Possibly a clumsy attempt to cut down over-prescribing? Insecticides generally aren't very nice.

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

27,521 posts

190 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
Mr Tom said:
It’s not a scam or upsell. As of Jan this year the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) changed the way we (as vets) are allowed to prescribe flea and worming treatments.

Animals have always had to be seen by a vet for a physical exam to be able to be prescribed flea and wormer that is POM-V, of which Advocate is one EVERY 12 MONTHS - this is the set by the RCVS.

Flea and worming treatments are now, since January 2024, classified as antimicrobials - these must only be prescribed after a full clinical exam. The intricacies are now that the vet (and only that vet) who has seen the animal in the last 12 months must state what flea and wormer drug, the formulation and the weight catorgory is to be prescribed over the next 12 months. Unless this is stated you will have to be seen by a vet for a PHYSICAL EXAM. Some practices charge, some don’t. I personally think there is a balance, for a 12 month health check, fair enough. Otherwise it is a tricky one, ultimately seeing clients for free isn’t ideal, however if it is down to a vet not putting an authorisation on the account, the charge will be likely waived (we try to keep people happy).

Ultimately extra bureaucracy has been caused by changing the classification of endo and ectoparaciticides to antimicrobials meaning more work for vets of which the cost of our time will be passed on to the client. We don’t want to have to do it as it’s not the best use of our time but we have to.

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-a...
Thank you for the clarification.

Rough101

2,295 posts

82 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
I’m fine with the annual check up, which we get with jabs etc. less so the fact the Vet will only prescribe or dispense for 3 months worth without having to take the dog back

Mr Tom

636 posts

148 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Butt fleas and ticks aren't microbes, they're insects and arachnids.

Possibly a clumsy attempt to cut down over-prescribing? Insecticides generally aren't very nice.
Yes you are spot on. I think what the RCVS is getting at is that there is potential for the parasites to become resistant by overuse however in small animals we generally prophylactically blanket treat for parasites.

Edited by Mr Tom on Tuesday 14th May 19:11

Mr Tom

636 posts

148 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
Rough101 said:
I’m fine with the annual check up, which we get with jabs etc. less so the fact the Vet will only prescribe or dispense for 3 months worth without having to take the dog back
Every three months makes no sense for flea and wormer unless there was some very obscure circumstances…

I would however recommend seeing some animals every three (could be more, could be less) months for a health check if they were on long term meds for a disease (diabetes, thyroid, skin disease etc).

Practices have their own policies around that, nothing stopping you shopping around.

Hereward

4,382 posts

237 months

Tuesday 14th May
quotequote all
Mr Tom said:
Yes you are spot on...
That's the stuff I use tongue out

Rough101

2,295 posts

82 months

Wednesday 15th May
quotequote all
Mr Tom said:
Every three months makes no sense for flea and wormer unless there was some very obscure circumstances…

I would however recommend seeing some animals every three (could be more, could be less) months for a health check if they were on long term meds for a disease (diabetes, thyroid, skin disease etc).

Practices have their own policies around that, nothing stopping you shopping around.
Thank you, that’s helpful, I suspected it was just their policy, as he has no particular issues and isn’t on any routine meds.

PositronicRay

Original Poster:

27,521 posts

190 months

Wednesday 15th May
quotequote all
£107 for a check, prescription & 3 months supply of Advocate.

This used to be one of the more reasonably priced vets in the area. Shame as it's convenient too. Time to shop around (which I hate doing, I prefer to trust professionals, once one starts to question them a basic trust has been broken)