Best price for Interceptor?

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

I am moving to a farm in an area of the country that has TONS of heartworm. So I want to put my BC mix onto year round heartworm preventative. Since he is a BC, they tend to have sensativity to ivermectin, so no heartguard for him! Anyone found a cheap place to buy Interceptor? Is Smartpak the best deal?

[dalpal]

I buy from www.allivet.com

[Guin]

I buy generic heartworm medication and all-purpose wormer from Pets Megastore in Australia. They have the best prices anywhere and you receive your order in a week. http://www.pets-megastore.com.au/ I've been buying from them for years.

[chaltagor]

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/606_pets.html

"Some of the Internet sites that sell pet drugs represent legitimate, reputable pharmacies, says Martine Hartogensis, D.V.M., promotion and advertising liaison for the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). But others are fronts for unscrupulous businesses operating in violation of the law.

"Some of these Internet companies are overseas, and there is a risk of the drugs not being FDA-approved," says Hartogensis. The FDA has also found companies that sell counterfeit pet products, make fraudulent claims, dispense prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, and sell pet drugs that have expired.

Pet owners who purchase drugs from these companies may think they are saving money, says Hartogensis, but in reality they may be short-changing their pet's health and putting its life at risk."

There's many reasons the meds are cheaper. I can't imagine being proud of giving gray market medications to my animals, not to mention the illegality of OTC heartworm meds in the US. Oh well.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

Ummmm...I hate to break it to you, but where do you think vets get it? And all of these places do not sell OTC, it REQUIRES a prescription. They are cheaper because it cuts out the middleman of the vet office markup. I'm a technician, and I would never give my pets substandard products. Neither would my vets let me!!

[Guin]

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: @ Chaltagor. Probably in Australia, they consider Petco "graymarket." Get over it. I'll buy my human and animal meds wherever I can get a better price and the exact same quality I'd get by spending ten times what they're worth here. What sort of markup do you think your vet or Petco charges on plain old ivermectin? Try 30-50%. Why should I pay that?

They have their own brand of Interceptor, looks like: Canimax. You'll note that they specifiy that NOVARTIS won't let them sell Interceptor to be sent to the US. Could that POSSIBLY be because it's LESS EXPENSIVE in Australia for the exact same product? Duh!

http://www.pets-megastore.com.au/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=interceptor&osCsid=f55466f2c3a56a286928c0fe901a7cc9

[Sing Mia Song]

They have their own brand of Interceptor, looks like: Canimax. You'll note that they specifiy that NOVARTIS won't let them sell Interceptor to be sent to the US. Could that POSSIBLY be because it's LESS EXPENSIVE in Australia for the exact same product? Duh!

http://www.pets-megastore.com.au/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=interceptor&osCsid=f55466f2c3a56a286928c0fe901a7cc9

No, it would be because it is illegal.

The Australian product is not approved for sale in the United States. The only reason it is still available is because the Federal Trade Commission has bigger fish to fry.

Personally, I find the shipping distance from Australia to the US to be a disconcerting factor. I don't exactly think the vendor is paying to FedEx it to you. I think it is far more likely to be sitting in less than ideal temperature conditions on a long boat ride.

Of course, if you prefer the Australian regulatory authorities to FDA, you'll be happy to know that you can purchase ProHeart 12 there (that's not a typo for ProHeart 6).

If you are a veterinary technician, then you should be able to purchase FDA-approved heartworm products at cost or a reduced price.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

Yes, I can buy it at cost from my clinic -- if I want to buy 5 years worth! I work in a specialty/emergency clinic, and while we do have small amounts of Heartguard on hand, we don't carry Interceptor. So I'd have to get it in bulk. So my Dr has said she would write me a prescription. I'm surprised to hear this, as I've seen MANY threads on vets not willing to give a script so owners could buy less expensively from the vet supply places and people being upset about that. What's the difference???

AND, I never said I was going to buy from Australia, I simply asked where people had found a good price.

[Sing Mia Song]

Yes, I can buy it at cost from my clinic -- if I want to buy 5 years worth! I work in a specialty/emergency clinic, and while we do have small amounts of Heartguard on hand, we don't carry Interceptor. So I'd have to get it in bulk. So my Dr has said she would write me a prescription. I'm surprised to hear this, as I've seen MANY threads on vets not willing to give a script so owners could buy less expensively from the vet supply places and people being upset about that. What's the difference???

AND, I never said I was going to buy from Australia, I simply asked where people had found a good price.

Sorry, my post was directed at Guin, not you.

When I worked in ER, we would organize all the techs and vets and order for the year through Market Link. Maybe that's an option?

[Guin]

Personally, I find the shipping distance from Australia to the US to be a disconcerting factor. I don't exactly think the vendor is paying to FedEx it to you. I think it is far more likely to be sitting in less than ideal temperature conditions on a long boat ride.

That must be an awfully quick boat, to get it from Australia to Massachusetts in 5 business days. As for the Australian equivalent of the FDA, I'd trust them over the US versions who do such a great job of "inspecting" human-grade peanut-processing plants in this country.

[Sing Mia Song]

That must be an awfully quick boat, to get it from Australia to Massachusetts in 5 business days. As for the Australian equivalent of the FDA, I'd trust them over the US versions who do such a great job of "inspecting" human-grade peanut-processing plants in this country.

Does it actually have an Australian postmark? I would imagine that large shipments come from Australia and are stockpiled in the US to fill orders. And I wonder how long they sit there and under what conditions?

And, actually, it was the state inspectors who inspected PCA. FDA had to file an injunction in order to get PCA to reveal their positive tests for salmonella, after a joint CDC/FDA investigation traced the salmonella cases to peanut products, through the various brands, and back to the original plant.

I do know a little bit about the Agency. ;)

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

ffb posted: Since he is a BC, they tend to have sensativity to ivermectin, so no heartguard for him!
Since you are a canine health professional, I'm posting this information in hopes you will pass it along.:)

1. The mdr1 gene mutation responsible for so-called ivermectin sensitivity has not been found to occur in border collies.

2. Even in dogs with the mdr1 mutation, ivermectin at normal doses has not caused toxicity. One should be careful dosing farm dogs with ivermectin if those dogs have access to the manure of animals wormed with ivermectin. Ivermectin at high doses can cause toxic reactions in any dog, not just those with the mdr1 gene mutation.

3. It's not just ivermectin that produces toxicity in dogs at high doses - any of the avermectins will do so. Milbemycin oxime (the active ingredient in Interceptor) is an avermectin.

Here's a link to more information:
http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.php?showtopic=4966

I used to be involved in border collie rescue. We commonly treat HW+ dogs here by just putting them on Heartgard at a prophylactic dose and waiting two years for the HWs to die off. My vet confirms that he's had far fewer complications with this method than with immiticide. YMMV - I live in an area where dogs and HW's have been coexisting for 50 years, so the parasite has evolved to be less lethal to its host.

Oh, and for doG's sake, don't prescribe (or let your vet prescribe) Interceptor as a microfilaricide after immiticide treatment. It kills the microfilariae all right - all at once. Massive microfilarial die-off can result in anaphylactic shock. Ask me how I know this.:( Luckily we saved the dog with a steriod injection, but it was pretty scary there for a couple of hours.

[dalpal]

Ummmm...I hate to break it to you, but where do you think vets get it? And all of these places do not sell OTC, it REQUIRES a prescription. They are cheaper because it cuts out the middleman of the vet office markup. I'm a technician, and I would never give my pets substandard products. Neither would my vets let me!!

Agree....I've ordered Frontline and Heartguard Plus from Equine Mega store many times and never had a problem......dogs still tested negative for Heartworms.

[Guin]

Does it actually have an Australian postmark? I would imagine that large shipments come from Australia and are stockpiled in the US to fill orders. And I wonder how long they sit there and under what conditions?



Their orders are shipped Air Post Express from Australia. They are not located in the US. Why does everyone have such a difficult time believing that it is a legitimate company that happens to have LOWER PRICES? Geez. Where do you think Australians get THEIR pet stuff from? Last I checked, Dover Saddlery and Petsmart don't have Australian stores.

[Sing Mia Song]

Their orders are shipped Air Post Express from Australia. They are not located in the US. Why does everyone have such a difficult time believing that it is a legitimate company that happens to have LOWER PRICES? Geez. Where do you think Australians get THEIR pet stuff from? Last I checked, Dover Saddlery and Petsmart don't have Australian stores.

I think you are missing the point. Pharmaceuticals, whether intended for humans or animals, are regulated to ensure they are safe and effective. Love or hate the FDA, it has the most rigorous review process of any country.

Second, Canimax does not equal Interceptor. Canimax contains oxibendazole, abamectin and praziquantel.

Praziquantel is FDA approved for control of tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms.

Oxibendazole is what we used to use in the old days of daily (not monthly) heartworm preventative. It's also in Anthelcide. It's not approved for use in this country for any monthly heartworm preventative.

Abamectin does not have FDA approval for any veterinary product. At all. It's unknown whether any company ever tried to have it approved for use in a product (because the existence of a drug application is confidential until it gains an approval), but considering what I know about the industry, it's extremely likely that a company did file an application that was rejected on the basis of safety or efficacy. If it's that much cheaper to produce the active ingredient, you can bet a drug company would want to get it approved because it increases the profit margin.

So, there's a very valid reason why an Australian product may not be approved for use in the US. You said in an earlier post (and I'm paraphrasing) that you would happily purchase human or animal meds from another country because you could get the same quality at a lower price. The problem is that it is NOT the same quality and, in the case of Canimax, the active ingredient is not approved in this country.

It may work for you (although the sale of an unapproved product is illegal). Your dog may still test negative for heartworm, but that is not proof of efficacy: it could be that your dog has never been bitten by a mosquito carrying the vector. But please don't be deluded into thinking that it is the same product under a different brand name.

If you are ever unsure about whether a veterinary product or ingredient is FDA approved, you can do a search here: Animal Drugs @ FDA (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/animaldrugsatfda/index.cfm?gb=1)

[dalpal]

I think you are missing the point. Pharmaceuticals, whether intended for humans or animals, are regulated to ensure they are safe and effective. Love or hate the FDA, it has the most rigorous review process of any country.

Second, Canimax does not equal Interceptor. Canimax contains oxibendazole, abamectin and praziquantel.

Praziquantel is FDA approved for control of tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms.

Oxibendazole is what we used to use in the old days of daily (not monthly) heartworm preventative. It's also in Anthelcide. It's not approved for use in this country for any monthly heartworm preventative.

Abamectin does not have FDA approval for any veterinary product. At all. It's unknown whether any company ever tried to have it approved for use in a product (because the existence of a drug application is confidential until it gains an approval), but considering what I know about the industry, it's extremely likely that a company did file an application that was rejected on the basis of safety or efficacy. If it's that much cheaper to produce the active ingredient, you can bet a drug company would want to get it approved because it increases the profit margin.

So, there's a very valid reason why an Australian product may not be approved for use in the US. You said in an earlier post (and I'm paraphrasing) that you would happily purchase human or animal meds from another country because you could get the same quality at a lower price. The problem is that it is NOT the same quality and, in the case of Canimax, the active ingredient is not approved in this country.

It may work for you (although the sale of an unapproved product is illegal). Your dog may still test negative for heartworm, but that is not proof of efficacy: it could be that your dog has never been bitten by a mosquito carrying the vector. But please don't be deluded into thinking that it is the same product under a different brand name.

If you are ever unsure about whether a veterinary product or ingredient is FDA approved, you can do a search here: Animal Drugs @ FDA (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/animaldrugsatfda/index.cfm?gb=1)


I do TOTALLY agree with you on the generics...I'm not about to take a risk there. But the Heartguard Plus that I have received from Mega Store is well within date and completely sealed...never had a problem. I really do not buy alot from there any longer because Allivet's price is pretty close and if I order 100.00 worth , shipping is free.

Now I disagree with you on the effiacay comment....I live in NC, we have LOTS of mosquitos...I have short haired dogs....I can guarantee you that they have been bitten by mosquitos in the summertime.

Heartguard is Heartguard...if it is packaged and sealed, I don't worry about it. I will continue to purchase it through Allivet and not my vet, because the prices are SIGNIFICANTLY different. My vet writes the prescrip and I fill it there.

[Hannahsmom]

Sing Mia Song, I agree with all your points. Although people might do fine with products they are buying from wherever, I sure hope that if, and yes, I do say if, not when, they have adverse effects that they realize that for the 'benefits' of the lower price they must accept whatever risk ensues.

[dalpal]

Sing Mia Song, I agree with all your points. Although people might do fine with products they are buying from wherever, I sure hope that if, and yes, I do say if, not when, they have adverse effects that they realize that for the 'benefits' of the lower price they must accept whatever risk ensues.

Oh give me a break.....I'm so sick and tired of people crying foul because people are trying to save money. I've been using Allivet for over TWO YEARS and never had a problem. It's the same damn product. They buy it in bulk, I'm sure..and the vet does not.

My vets still make a good amount of money off of me....and I'm sorry, but I will NOT pay 40 percent more for something that I can cheaper somewhere else.

No need to guilt people because you disagree. ;) Equine Mega Store was actually recommended to me by a few people in dog rescue....there are alot of people who shop there and haven't had ANY problems.

[chaltagor]

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: @ Chaltagor. Probably in Australia, they consider Petco "graymarket." Get over it. I'll buy my human and animal meds wherever I can get a better price and the exact same quality I'd get by spending ten times what they're worth here.

Buying any heartworm treatment for a canine or feline without a prescription in the US is illegal. "I'll do things illegally it's cheaper!"

There's a reason for the markup from the vet's, it's the same as any markup at any retail store. Of course it's cheaper to order online, no one would argue that it isn't. It's amazing how people think vets shouldn't make any money, or are "greedy" or "unethical" for operating like an owner-operated small business, which is what they are. There are ramifications for getting it cheaper though; I don't understand people who think they should have all the same service directly buying it from their vet vs. getting it through a warehouse. You want it cheaper, you take the gamble/jump through the hoops to get it and don't complain when you get problems (like trying to return it, having to get a hw test every year, or the company taking your money without being leagally able to sell you the product).

[dalpal]

Buying any heartworm treatment for a canine or feline without a prescription in the US is illegal. "I'll do things illegally it's cheaper!"

There's a reason for the markup from the vet's, it's the same as any markup at any retail store. Of course it's cheaper to order online, no one would argue that it isn't. It's amazing how people think vets shouldn't make any money, or are "greedy" or "unethical" for operating like an owner-operated small business, which is what they are. There are ramifications for getting it cheaper though; I don't understand people who think they should have all the same service directly buying it from their vet vs. getting it through a warehouse. You want it cheaper, you take the gamble/jump through the hoops to get it and don't complain when you get problems (like trying to return it, having to get a hw test every year, or the company taking your money without being leagally able to sell you the product).

Oh sure, well..my vet makes money all the time...last bill was 600.00 and about 1/2 of that was for drugs. ;) Now how do you think I get my prescription drugs through Allivet???? My Vet writes the prescription.

We could argue the morals of how much you spend at your vet's office all day long and in the end, I will still buy 85 percent of my drugs through Allivet. ;)

On the flip side of your argument....quite frankly, I'm tired of people guilting others because they are trying to make ends meet and save money where they can. So yes, if ordering from Allivet is a gamble, I guess I'll keep rolling the dice. :lol:

OOHHHH and let's talk about HW testing...and I do have to laugh on this one.....my vet has ALWAYS required me to do yearly heartworm testing, even when I bought it through them....so that argument doesn't work.

If the medication is within date and sealed, I really don't see the difference...sorry.

And, would you rather a dog GET HEARTWORM PILLS or not get them at all/have heartworms? There are plenty people in this country who can not afford it through the vet/especially right now with job layoffs, etc....and do not even start the argument of "well, they shouldn't own the dog"...because there are LOTS of rescues who need to save where they can. Should they just stop giving the dogs HW meds????

I would however be interested in reading any literature that you have on bad meds through Allivet or Equine Mega Store....please share. And I have yet to return anything because I usually just order what I need.

[Hannahsmom]

dalpal, keep your spots on. :) I never said you must have your meds sold to you by your vet. I just think not everyone thinks about making sure their supplier is using properly stored, labelled for products for on label indications vs. just lowest price.

There are plenty of reputable supply houses out there (such as Allivet) but I don't do a google search for cheapest without then asking my vet what he knows about them as a supplier and doing some research on the company.

[dalpal]

dalpal, keep your spots on. :) I never said you must have your meds sold to you by your vet. I just think not everyone thinks about making sure their supplier is using properly stored, labelled for products for on label indications vs. just lowest price.

There are plenty of reputable supply houses out there (such as Allivet) but I don't do a google search for cheapest without then asking my vet what he knows about them as a supplier and doing some research on the company.


They're on. :lol:.at least on the dogs.

[NEEDS A NAP]

My vet's office will not write a prescription so that you can order from a cheaper source, but he will do a price match. If you bring in a catalog that has Interceptor or any other prescription drug listed for a lower price (and it's usually less than half what he charges), he will match that price.

Maybe there are other vets that do that as well?

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

OK, this thread seems to have gone WAY off topic, and people are making assumptions about me and my intentions. To be clear, my vet doesn't CARRY the medication I need.

My vet OFFERED to write a prescription so I could get the medication that SHE RECOMMENDED (she let me know I shouldn't risk giving the BC Heartguard, not my assumption because he is a collie breed).

Since I generally DO BUY MY MEDS THROUGH MY VET, I was looking for information so that I don't pay more than I need to.

And for ANY company to pay for treatment if your pets gets heartworm (which is still possible, even if your pet is on Heartguard from the vet, kinda like birth control), you MUST have your pet tested once a year. And if you buy the product (from ANYWHERE) and your pet comes back positive, the company pays for the treatment. That leads me to believe that the company would not distribute to a catalog/online store that didn't treat the product appropriately.

And all heartworm preventative is shelf stable, I'd be more worried about vaccine handling.

[Sing Mia Song]

Fizz, I'd still recommend getting it through Market Link if your hospital has an account. You might even be able to convince your office manager to set one up for you. I think you can buy single packs rather than a whole box.

1-888-722-2242

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

I ordered it through Smartpak last night. I am moving, so I have given my notice to the company. Don't think they are going to jump through hoops for this. Plus, I can't wait any longer, as I have run out. And another plus, our inventory person is not the best at his job, I'm not sure I would get it before the year was out! And my hopsital doesn't HAVE a Market Link account. Seems like a lot of work so I can save $30...for a YEAR'S worth!

[Sing Mia Song]

Bummer. Are you going to be a tech in your new town? Every emergency/specialty practice I've worked at has been really amenable to ordering it in bulk for the techs, as long as we organized what we needed for the year.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

My vet OFFERED to write a prescription so I could get the medication that SHE RECOMMENDED (she let me know I shouldn't risk giving the BC Heartguard, not my assumption because he is a collie breed).

Yes, I believe you. I also have had vets tell me border collies can't take Heartgard. They are wrong.:)
That's why I posted the info and links. Please let your vet know.:)