Veterinary scams - prescription food????
Discussion
I thought by now, given the frequency of the cat vs dog threads on PH over the years, that there'd be a Pets forum, but I can't find one so Mods - please move this if the current convention is to talk about pets somewhere else. I rarely venture into the Lounge these days…
Anyway I thought I'd ask a question about the well-known conflict of interest between veterinary practices and the food / veterinary health product vendors. Particularly Hill's, who make a range of 'Science Plan' foods (available in general pet stores) and 'Prescription Diet' foods (allegedly only available in veterinary practices).
Now a quick Google will find all sorts of arguments about Hill's not being that good, that it's only successful because they give vets freebies / sponsor their veterinary studies / etc. but the bottom line is that my two cats actually like the stuff. I've two utterly gorgeous Maine Coons, they're 7 months old now and bigger than the other adult cats in the street, and brother / sister (though they look completely different - you'd never guess). The little girl loves rich food, and foolishly I started both of them off on the most expensive, highest meat content food I could possibly find, which turned out to be too rich for her stomach and caused her all sorts of problems - she loved the stuff, but her guts didn't - the offending foods were Applaws and Nature's Menu kitten formulations, BTW - they're top, top quality from the ingredients list, but just too rich for my cats. She likes parma ham, foie gras, that sort of thing…. right little spoilt princess.
Anyway since all the 80%+ meat content foods we were feeding them contained chicken as the main protein source, our vet suggested switching them over to Hill's d/d Prescription food, which is actually Venison & Pea, and a dry 'complete' diet. I wasn't 100% sure about giving them a dry food only but apparently things have changed since I last had 7 cats as a kid a few decades ago…
I also wasn't impressed with the inclusion of Peas, which aren't actually that necessary for cats since they don't need carbohydrates in the same way we do. But it was expensive, it was recommended by the vet, and whilst I had a big, healthy amount of scepticism in my mind due to the internet arguments about Hill's, I bought a couple of bags from the vet and put some down to see whether the cats would eat it, or whether they'd turn their noses up in disgust.
Miraculously, they absolutely LOVED the Hill's. I've put down the 80% chicken Applaws dry food (meant to be the highest meat-content biscuits you can buy, and not cheap) with it, and both cats ignore the Applaws and tuck into the Hill's. Since they've been eating the Hill's, Edie (girl) has immediately increased her weight gain and is as healthy as you like guts-wise (i.e. no problems), and Ozymandias (heh - we call him Ozzy, but he needed a silly name as he's a show-quality cat) enjoys it too. He's a BIG boy and is still growing.
Both are perfectly happy on this 'prescription diet' Hill's d/d Venison & Pea dry food. The vet said it's a complete food, and the cats can continue eating it forever. Great, if it's good for them, and they like it, no problems.
The question I have regards whether I'm being ripped off. The vet says that I cannot buy the Hill's 'Prescription Diet' without a prescription from the vet. So every time I need some more food, I have to book an appointment with the vet, pay for an examination, get a prescription, and get a small bag of food (no larger than 2 kg) from the vet. This is *seriously* inconvenient - I really don't care that much about how much the cats cost, I love the things, and I'm not giving them cheap food. But I'm not paying for unnecessary vet visits, or unnecessary prescriptions - primarily because taking the cats to the vet scares the s
t out of the cats, and if during working hours, costs me money (I am a consultant and get paid on a time basis).
I also don't like being taken for a ride.
I've found a shop on t'internet that sells all of the Hill's Prescription Diet foods and so I did a test order - no prescription was asked for, and the food was cheaper than at the vet's practice (though not by much - the vet wasn't taking the piss by pricing the bags of food over MRRP, the extra cost was in the consultation, prescription and the aggro of taking the cats to the vet). The only difference was that the internet shop was based in Scotland and hence governed by Scottish law.
As far as I can tell, there's nothing in Hill's 'Prescription Diet' food that is classed as a *pharmaceutical* and hence *requires* a doctor's (vet's) prescription. So are my vets merely lying about the requirement for a prescription, or is this some Hill's thing and my vets are merely saying what Hill's have told them to say?
Basically, if my vets are flat-out lying to me, then it somewhat damages my faith and trust in their judgement - why should I believe them in other matters? And, more seriously, if they are putting profit ahead of the cats' welfare, then how do I know that they aren't dragging out little complaints rather than fix them quickly? I really don't want to distrust a vet, it's like not believing your doctor (though that's another story in my experience). They're saying that I can't get the food unless I have a prescription - I've just bought some. Surely unless the cat food contains pharmaceuticals, it isn't regulated by the Medicines Act? Balancing this out is the fact that the vets and nurses are simply lovely and quite clearly love animals, and our cats have been given the highest degree of care when I've been there - if there's any cynical profiteering it's coming from the accounting department, NOT the vets or nurses, IMO.
There are a few vets on here and very keen cat owners - I'd appreciate your opinions on this! Cheeers!
Anyway I thought I'd ask a question about the well-known conflict of interest between veterinary practices and the food / veterinary health product vendors. Particularly Hill's, who make a range of 'Science Plan' foods (available in general pet stores) and 'Prescription Diet' foods (allegedly only available in veterinary practices).
Now a quick Google will find all sorts of arguments about Hill's not being that good, that it's only successful because they give vets freebies / sponsor their veterinary studies / etc. but the bottom line is that my two cats actually like the stuff. I've two utterly gorgeous Maine Coons, they're 7 months old now and bigger than the other adult cats in the street, and brother / sister (though they look completely different - you'd never guess). The little girl loves rich food, and foolishly I started both of them off on the most expensive, highest meat content food I could possibly find, which turned out to be too rich for her stomach and caused her all sorts of problems - she loved the stuff, but her guts didn't - the offending foods were Applaws and Nature's Menu kitten formulations, BTW - they're top, top quality from the ingredients list, but just too rich for my cats. She likes parma ham, foie gras, that sort of thing…. right little spoilt princess.
Anyway since all the 80%+ meat content foods we were feeding them contained chicken as the main protein source, our vet suggested switching them over to Hill's d/d Prescription food, which is actually Venison & Pea, and a dry 'complete' diet. I wasn't 100% sure about giving them a dry food only but apparently things have changed since I last had 7 cats as a kid a few decades ago…
I also wasn't impressed with the inclusion of Peas, which aren't actually that necessary for cats since they don't need carbohydrates in the same way we do. But it was expensive, it was recommended by the vet, and whilst I had a big, healthy amount of scepticism in my mind due to the internet arguments about Hill's, I bought a couple of bags from the vet and put some down to see whether the cats would eat it, or whether they'd turn their noses up in disgust.
Miraculously, they absolutely LOVED the Hill's. I've put down the 80% chicken Applaws dry food (meant to be the highest meat-content biscuits you can buy, and not cheap) with it, and both cats ignore the Applaws and tuck into the Hill's. Since they've been eating the Hill's, Edie (girl) has immediately increased her weight gain and is as healthy as you like guts-wise (i.e. no problems), and Ozymandias (heh - we call him Ozzy, but he needed a silly name as he's a show-quality cat) enjoys it too. He's a BIG boy and is still growing.
Both are perfectly happy on this 'prescription diet' Hill's d/d Venison & Pea dry food. The vet said it's a complete food, and the cats can continue eating it forever. Great, if it's good for them, and they like it, no problems.
The question I have regards whether I'm being ripped off. The vet says that I cannot buy the Hill's 'Prescription Diet' without a prescription from the vet. So every time I need some more food, I have to book an appointment with the vet, pay for an examination, get a prescription, and get a small bag of food (no larger than 2 kg) from the vet. This is *seriously* inconvenient - I really don't care that much about how much the cats cost, I love the things, and I'm not giving them cheap food. But I'm not paying for unnecessary vet visits, or unnecessary prescriptions - primarily because taking the cats to the vet scares the s
t out of the cats, and if during working hours, costs me money (I am a consultant and get paid on a time basis).I also don't like being taken for a ride.
I've found a shop on t'internet that sells all of the Hill's Prescription Diet foods and so I did a test order - no prescription was asked for, and the food was cheaper than at the vet's practice (though not by much - the vet wasn't taking the piss by pricing the bags of food over MRRP, the extra cost was in the consultation, prescription and the aggro of taking the cats to the vet). The only difference was that the internet shop was based in Scotland and hence governed by Scottish law.
As far as I can tell, there's nothing in Hill's 'Prescription Diet' food that is classed as a *pharmaceutical* and hence *requires* a doctor's (vet's) prescription. So are my vets merely lying about the requirement for a prescription, or is this some Hill's thing and my vets are merely saying what Hill's have told them to say?
Basically, if my vets are flat-out lying to me, then it somewhat damages my faith and trust in their judgement - why should I believe them in other matters? And, more seriously, if they are putting profit ahead of the cats' welfare, then how do I know that they aren't dragging out little complaints rather than fix them quickly? I really don't want to distrust a vet, it's like not believing your doctor (though that's another story in my experience). They're saying that I can't get the food unless I have a prescription - I've just bought some. Surely unless the cat food contains pharmaceuticals, it isn't regulated by the Medicines Act? Balancing this out is the fact that the vets and nurses are simply lovely and quite clearly love animals, and our cats have been given the highest degree of care when I've been there - if there's any cynical profiteering it's coming from the accounting department, NOT the vets or nurses, IMO.
There are a few vets on here and very keen cat owners - I'd appreciate your opinions on this! Cheeers!
Of course you're being taken for a ride.
Prescription only pet food, why would they harm cats to be given good nutrition from the supermarket? Without a prescription? Give me a break!
For clarity, I worked for two years at a pet shop and took the hill's and Iams/Eukanuba (sp??) courses to advise customer on their pet's nutritional needs.
Find a good low cost food available from the pet store and don't subscribe to the madness that is "prescription food"
I would support prescription food if there was a real reason why a normal cat would be harmed by having it. The only reason for the prescription is to rip you off and justify the price tag.
All the cats we have had have been fed with normal cat food from tesco, whiskas or felix or whetever they like. We have had no cats die prematurely, none of them developed any health problems and they lived to a happy age (15 in one case) if my vet tried to guilt me ionto paying a fortune to feed them I would put anthrax in his eye! Maybe a touch of aids in his coffee!
Prescription only pet food, why would they harm cats to be given good nutrition from the supermarket? Without a prescription? Give me a break!
For clarity, I worked for two years at a pet shop and took the hill's and Iams/Eukanuba (sp??) courses to advise customer on their pet's nutritional needs.
Find a good low cost food available from the pet store and don't subscribe to the madness that is "prescription food"
I would support prescription food if there was a real reason why a normal cat would be harmed by having it. The only reason for the prescription is to rip you off and justify the price tag.
All the cats we have had have been fed with normal cat food from tesco, whiskas or felix or whetever they like. We have had no cats die prematurely, none of them developed any health problems and they lived to a happy age (15 in one case) if my vet tried to guilt me ionto paying a fortune to feed them I would put anthrax in his eye! Maybe a touch of aids in his coffee!
Jesus fking wept. They are cats mate, it's not rocket science. Princess my arse, WTF are you doing feeding them Parma ham and foie gras?! Are you taking the piss?
Anyhoo. We have two silver spotties and an adopted stray. They share two sachets or half/third of a tin in the morning and we allow them to graze Hills all day as and when. Not prescription Hills whatever that us, it's adult optimal care off the shelf.
We then give them the same volume of wet meat in the evening.
Job done. All three are pictures of health, no probs at all.
king wept. They are cats mate, it's not rocket science. Princess my arse, WTF are you doing feeding them Parma ham and foie gras?! Are you taking the piss? Anyhoo. We have two silver spotties and an adopted stray. They share two sachets or half/third of a tin in the morning and we allow them to graze Hills all day as and when. Not prescription Hills whatever that us, it's adult optimal care off the shelf.
We then give them the same volume of wet meat in the evening.
Job done. All three are pictures of health, no probs at all.
With the vets I use, you phone reception the day before you need it, tell them tha animal's name and the food you want and collect it the next day. In the meantime, they get the vet to approve it - which I would imagine involves a quick check of the notes to make sure it's something they've recommended in the past. See if yours will do it like that - can't see why they wouldn't.
My cat really likes their food too, and because I buy it in big bags it doesn't work out much more expensive than the supermarket version.
My cat really likes their food too, and because I buy it in big bags it doesn't work out much more expensive than the supermarket version.
hornetrider said:
Jesus fking wept. They are cats mate, it's not rocket science. Princess my arse, WTF are you doing feeding them Parma ham and foie gras?! Are you taking the piss?
Yes. Of course I am king wept. They are cats mate, it's not rocket science. Princess my arse, WTF are you doing feeding them Parma ham and foie gras?! Are you taking the piss? 
Exaggeration for effect. But they *do* like the Hill's, and I want to know whether the vets are lying to me about needing a prescription. Common sense says yes, they are lying - and that's sad and worries me.
This isn't a thread about the 'best cat food' or whether Hill's Venison & Pea is any good. It's about whether the food can only be sold in the UK with a prescription, because that's what the vet is telling me. If this isn't true, then the vet is lying. And *that* isn't good news
My male cat Ben has allergies to certain foods, well I guess certain ingredients. Causes his intestinal lining to become inflamed, as well as sickness and dioreah. IAMs sets him off, as does most wet food.
He's a rescue and I suspect this is why his previous owners left him at a rescue centre.
Vet said I could try him on DD or Scienceplan, but a cheaper alternative which is just as effective is James Wellbeloved. Works a treat, no stomach problems and he and my other cat love it. It's a bit more expensive than IAMs, but luckily my local petshop always has offers on.
He's a rescue and I suspect this is why his previous owners left him at a rescue centre.
Vet said I could try him on DD or Scienceplan, but a cheaper alternative which is just as effective is James Wellbeloved. Works a treat, no stomach problems and he and my other cat love it. It's a bit more expensive than IAMs, but luckily my local petshop always has offers on.
Edited by Marf on Saturday 19th June 16:30
Our Maine Coon is diabetic and eats approx 50% dry and 50% wet food at the moment.
The dry food we give him is a mix of Purina DM and Royal Canine Diabetic (both special formulas for diabetic cats) but he's also had the Hill's equivalent. At no time have we been pressured into buying 'prescription' foods from the vet. We get them mail order, in 5kg packs and although they're expensive, it's necessary for our cat's condition.
I don't know why your vet is telling you what they are but it doesn't sound right. We consult with our vet very regularly because we've been having trouble getting our cat's blood glucose level stable and hence we've tried just about every food available, but she's never tried to make us buy it from her.
Anyway, you do realise you can't start a thread about your cats without posting at least one picture of them, don't you?
The dry food we give him is a mix of Purina DM and Royal Canine Diabetic (both special formulas for diabetic cats) but he's also had the Hill's equivalent. At no time have we been pressured into buying 'prescription' foods from the vet. We get them mail order, in 5kg packs and although they're expensive, it's necessary for our cat's condition.
I don't know why your vet is telling you what they are but it doesn't sound right. We consult with our vet very regularly because we've been having trouble getting our cat's blood glucose level stable and hence we've tried just about every food available, but she's never tried to make us buy it from her.
Anyway, you do realise you can't start a thread about your cats without posting at least one picture of them, don't you?
Marf said:
Vet said I could put him on DD or Scienceplan, but a cheaper alternative which is just as effective is James Wellbeloved. Works a treat, and he and my other cat love it. It's a bit more expensive than IAMs, but luckily my local petshop always has offers on.
Yup, tried that stuff too. Looks good, but now the cats have tried the Hill's Venison & Pea, they won't touch the James Wellbeloved. The vet reckons it's chicken that's causing the problem - most cat foods get most of their meat protein from chicken - and the JWB has chicken in too.I'm not bothered about the cost of the food - there's not much in it between any of the 'quality' cat foods, from Hill's to IAMS to James Wellbeloved to Applaws and the specialist small-volume stuff. You only save money by buying cheap food like supermarket own-brand stuff or mass-market Felix / Whiskas / etc. - which aren't really going to make your cat ill, you just need to feed them more (as there's a lower protein and general nutrition content) and this results in more poo. Doing the numbers, it's not really that much cheaper either unless you buy in bulk from a trade outlet or warehouse store place.
Our kittens are currently house-bound so volume and quality of poo is actually a meaningful variable… Ozzy could eat tins and tins of Whiskas and generate huge quantities of smelly poo. OK if they do their business outdoors, or are small cats, but Maine Coons are BIG cats and we've found a huge improvement since switching to the more-concentrated 'quality' food. Since lower quantities are required to provide enough protein, smaller volumes of poo are produced, and without lots of unnecessary carbohydrates and 'flavour enhancers' the poo is less smelly as a result.
Anyone who's had a kitten who hasn't agreed with his/her food will know that even the best cat litter can't completely kill the smell
So more expensive food costs about the same as cheap food in the long run, with less required, and less litter required due to smaller and fewer poos.Anyway this is getting off topic again. Forget my choice of food, OK? This is what I'm asking - - - -
Hill's sell TWO brands - 'Science Plan' and 'Prescription Diet'. The 'Science Plan' is available in pet shops and some supermarkets, my vet is saying that 'Prescription Diet' is only available through vets because it needs a prescription. I've found it online, without a prescription. Is this the *vet* lying to me, or it is *Hill's* lying to the vet?
Hills website said:
Exclusive to vets
Hill’s Prescription Diet pet food is a therapeutic nutrition and therefore is only prescribed by your vet. It is vet's number one choice for the management of sick and at-risk pets.
So, they seem to want to channel it through the vets. Best to just ask Hills direct why that is the case.Hill’s Prescription Diet pet food is a therapeutic nutrition and therefore is only prescribed by your vet. It is vet's number one choice for the management of sick and at-risk pets.
Edited by FasterFreddy on Saturday 19th June 16:47
http://www.nutrecare.co.uk/Category-144/Hill's-Pre...
I buy my cat stuff online from the above unless Pets at Home have a better deal or I've forgotten we're running low on food.
I give our cat Science Plan dry food(not prescription) - she's been eating the same food every day for the last four years. They aren't like us - they don't get bored :-).
I don't think it's expensive - I bought a 10 kg bag for about £50 and at around 50g a day will last over 6 months which makes it 25p a day. (It's only about £40 from the online store but we had run out!)
I buy my cat stuff online from the above unless Pets at Home have a better deal or I've forgotten we're running low on food.
I give our cat Science Plan dry food(not prescription) - she's been eating the same food every day for the last four years. They aren't like us - they don't get bored :-).
I don't think it's expensive - I bought a 10 kg bag for about £50 and at around 50g a day will last over 6 months which makes it 25p a day. (It's only about £40 from the online store but we had run out!)
cyberface said:
Anyway this is getting off topic again. Forget my choice of food, OK? This is what I'm asking - - - -
Hill's sell TWO brands - 'Science Plan' and 'Prescription Diet'. The 'Science Plan' is available in pet shops and some supermarkets, my vet is saying that 'Prescription Diet' is only available through vets because it needs a prescription. I've found it online, without a prescription. Is this the *vet* lying to me, or it is *Hill's* lying to the vet?
Needing an actual prescription is a lie based on everything I have seen. When you buy things like worming tablets online you have to answer a few simple questions to make sure you're not a cretin and will use what your buying for the appropriate purpose and the right animal. This is a bit like the consultation at the vet.Hill's sell TWO brands - 'Science Plan' and 'Prescription Diet'. The 'Science Plan' is available in pet shops and some supermarkets, my vet is saying that 'Prescription Diet' is only available through vets because it needs a prescription. I've found it online, without a prescription. Is this the *vet* lying to me, or it is *Hill's* lying to the vet?
From VioVet : http://www.viovet.co.uk/p19/Are_you_looking_to_buy...
VioVet said:
Hills Prescription Diets
These diets do not actually require any sort of prescription from a vet, but they should only be used under veterinary advice and supervision. This is because they have different concentrations of nutrients in them, designed for specific purposes. For instance an animal with reduced kidney function will often benefit significantly from a diet intended to help with this problem, but the diet might be totally unsuitable for an animal with certain digestive complaints.
These diets do not actually require any sort of prescription from a vet, but they should only be used under veterinary advice and supervision. This is because they have different concentrations of nutrients in them, designed for specific purposes. For instance an animal with reduced kidney function will often benefit significantly from a diet intended to help with this problem, but the diet might be totally unsuitable for an animal with certain digestive complaints.
Edited by Famous Graham on Saturday 19th June 16:53
Famous Graham said:
From VioVet : http://www.viovet.co.uk/p19/Are_you_looking_to_buy...
Perfect FG, thank you very much. Looks like the vet counter assistants are lying - that's pretty clear 'do not actually require any sort of prescription'. Good stuff - will continue buying from the internet then. The vet has already said the cats would be fine on the Hill's d/d stuff long-term.VioVet said:
Hills Prescription Diets
These diets do not actually require any sort of prescription from a vet, but they should only be used under veterinary advice and supervision. This is because they have different concentrations of nutrients in them, designed for specific purposes. For instance an animal with reduced kidney function will often benefit significantly from a diet intended to help with this problem, but the diet might be totally unsuitable for an animal with certain digestive complaints.
These diets do not actually require any sort of prescription from a vet, but they should only be used under veterinary advice and supervision. This is because they have different concentrations of nutrients in them, designed for specific purposes. For instance an animal with reduced kidney function will often benefit significantly from a diet intended to help with this problem, but the diet might be totally unsuitable for an animal with certain digestive complaints.
Edited by Famous Graham on Saturday 19th June 16:53
FasterFreddy said:
Anyway, you do realise you can't start a thread about your cats without posting at least one picture of them, don't you?
Oh, alright then. No doubt I'll get some snarks telling me I'm not looking after my cats properly 
Here are six random pics:
Depends on the condition. Two of my cats have kidney problems, and the normal cat food has too much protein etc which then leads to renal failure, so we have prescription food (we don't have to get all of it from the vets though, they issue a prescription and we can get it on-line) for them. Along with a few tablets of course....
number2 said:
cyberface said:
Anyway this is getting off topic again. Forget my choice of food, OK? This is what I'm asking - - - -
Hill's sell TWO brands - 'Science Plan' and 'Prescription Diet'. The 'Science Plan' is available in pet shops and some supermarkets, my vet is saying that 'Prescription Diet' is only available through vets because it needs a prescription. I've found it online, without a prescription. Is this the *vet* lying to me, or it is *Hill's* lying to the vet?
Needing an actual prescription is a lie based on everything I have seen. When you buy things like worming tablets online you have to answer a few simple questions to make sure you're not a cretin and will use what your buying for the appropriate purpose and the right animal. This is a bit like the consultation at the vet.Hill's sell TWO brands - 'Science Plan' and 'Prescription Diet'. The 'Science Plan' is available in pet shops and some supermarkets, my vet is saying that 'Prescription Diet' is only available through vets because it needs a prescription. I've found it online, without a prescription. Is this the *vet* lying to me, or it is *Hill's* lying to the vet?
However I don't see why, as someone mentioned earlier, you can't simply get a repeat prescription - Doctors hand them out easily enough, often in a more or less automated prcess in conjunction with a pharmacy.
As somone
Quinny said:
Cat = Cheapest cat food available
Dog = Chapest dog food available
Cat & Dog will eat either when hungary enough..
Simple
And Die if they have kidney problems. So not the wisest choice. I admit we must be mad given the amount we spend on cat food (prescription renal food) but the cats are worth it.Dog = Chapest dog food available
Cat & Dog will eat either when hungary enough..
Simple
Saying that, the dogs are quite expensive to feed as well.....
You do not need to see vet every time for d/d diet, infact most diets unless just stsrting out or a weight loss diet do not need to be seen each time occ monitoring such as kidney diets you do because of the condition you are treating
You can get foods online, some will ask for px from vet, the vet will charge for this.
If your cat is doing well on it, stick yo it for now but look into other diets that you maybe able to swap to. (Our maine coon eats RCW maine coone diet and does very well on it, no px needed)
Some guidance is needed as you will get people self diagnosing their pets and buying food totally unsuitable and consequently potentially harmful long term, so I don't agree with the idea of people buying px diets without vets guidance but technically they are not POM's so px may noy be requested.
Personally I'd be very disappointed if we made you do this to get more food each time.
You can get foods online, some will ask for px from vet, the vet will charge for this.
If your cat is doing well on it, stick yo it for now but look into other diets that you maybe able to swap to. (Our maine coon eats RCW maine coone diet and does very well on it, no px needed)
Some guidance is needed as you will get people self diagnosing their pets and buying food totally unsuitable and consequently potentially harmful long term, so I don't agree with the idea of people buying px diets without vets guidance but technically they are not POM's so px may noy be requested.
Personally I'd be very disappointed if we made you do this to get more food each time.
Edited by becksW on Saturday 19th June 20:52
Deva Link said:
freecar said:
We have had no cats die prematurely, none of them developed any health problems and they lived to a happy age (15 in one case)..
15 isn't that old for a cat.Having said that, the original post is hilarious.
Famous Graham said:
From VioVet : http://www.viovet.co.uk/p19/Are_you_looking_to_buy...
+1VioVet said:
Hills Prescription Diets
These diets do not actually require any sort of prescription from a vet, but they should only be used under veterinary advice and supervision. This is because they have different concentrations of nutrients in them, designed for specific purposes. For instance an animal with reduced kidney function will often benefit significantly from a diet intended to help with this problem, but the diet might be totally unsuitable for an animal with certain digestive complaints.
These diets do not actually require any sort of prescription from a vet, but they should only be used under veterinary advice and supervision. This is because they have different concentrations of nutrients in them, designed for specific purposes. For instance an animal with reduced kidney function will often benefit significantly from a diet intended to help with this problem, but the diet might be totally unsuitable for an animal with certain digestive complaints.
Edited by Famous Graham on Saturday 19th June 16:53
My GF is a vet and she used to sell Hill's in her practice. In human terms it's the equivalent (ish) of buying 'behind the counter' medicines from Boots, it's not quite full on prescription and should be used under guidance from a vet, but certainly not requiring a full on consult for every new bag.
AFAIK there was never any hard sell from Hill's WRT to pushing it out to customer's, certainly with my GF she would only ever sell it to the client it the animal genuinely needed it. The mark up on the science plan is the same as prescription food so there would be no real need to push it that hard.
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