If you’ve ever left a veterinary clinic with medication for your pet, you may have assumed that was your only option. For many pet owners in British Columbia, that has long been the traditional experience-but it isn’t the only one.
As a pharmacist who has spent more than 35 years specializing in veterinary medicine, I’ve seen firsthand how much pet care has changed. Pets are living longer, and many now receive ongoing treatment for conditions such as arthritis, anxiety, thyroid disease, diabetes, allergies, and heart disease. Along with that comes a growing need to make medications easier to access-and easier to give.
Veterinarians remain at the centre of your pet’s care. Prescribing decisions are made within a framework known as the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship, which ensures your pet is properly assessed and treated. In many cases, it makes perfect sense to receive medication directly from the clinic, especially when treatment needs to start right away.
What many pet owners may not realize is that prescriptions written by a veterinarian can also be filled at a pharmacy.
For families managing long-term therapies, having more than one dispensing option can be helpful. Expanded access can offer greater convenience and, in some cases, more variability in pricing-something that may matter when a pet requires medication month after month.
Veterinary medications, however, are not always as straightforward as human prescriptions. Doses can vary widely between species, and some ingredients that are safe for people may not be suitable for animals. Even something as simple as getting a cat to take a tablet can become a daily challenge.
For more than 30 years, I have also specialized in compounding-customizing medications to better suit inpidual patients. Sometimes that means preparing a flavoured liquid instead of a tablet, adjusting a dose for a very small or very large animal, or finding a practical alternative when a commercial product is unavailable. These small changes can make a big difference in whether a pet receives the medication it needs.
While some community pharmacies can fill veterinary prescriptions, some have developed a deeper focus in this area. For pet owners, having access to that kind of support can be helpful-especially when questions come up after you’ve returned home.
This is not about replacing your veterinarian. It is about adding another layer of support. When veterinarians and pharmacists work together, the result can be better access, smoother treatment, and ultimately better care for the pets who depend on us.
At the end of the day, the goal is simple: helping your pet stay healthy and making it as easy as possible for you to care for them.
Watch out for my next seminar on Pet Allergies and Itchy Skin.
Lyle Sunada is a pharmacist specializing in veterinary medicine and alternative medicine at Cloverdale Pharmasave. Lyle has helped small and large animal owners for over 35 years and believes in looking at the root cause of health conditions.
