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Post by unclejoe on Mar 17, 2014 10:04:23 GMT -5
Just got off the phone with my vet. It turns out that Suprelorin implants come in 2-packs, (I think I already knew this) so in order to get it for Jaffa I have to buy both for $414. Atm, I don't have another ferret who needs it (would have given it to Poppy) and I really don't have the extra $200. If we bought it, it would be mine and could possibly sit at the vet office until it expires, unless, God forbid, Alice or one of the youngsters needed it before, or arrangements were made through me for another patient.
When they ordered Poppy's last summer, they just kept it in hopes someone else would come in looking for it, but it expired and was tossed in the trash.
She's going to check around and see if any of her colleagues in the area could use the extra one If you're anywhere near Daytona Beach, I can give you the vet's info. Otherwise, perhaps your vet and mine could work it out.
Thanks
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Post by msav on Mar 17, 2014 10:57:36 GMT -5
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Post by unclejoe on Mar 17, 2014 11:15:44 GMT -5
holy crap. Maybe I can get one from your vet... Last August I paid 180 for 1
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Post by katt on Mar 17, 2014 11:32:47 GMT -5
$200 for one Des is pretty average markup. Why can't they just let you take the Des home? Then you could sell it to someone on the boards. That's what my vet does.
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Post by msav on Mar 17, 2014 11:37:01 GMT -5
well I am still working with my vet to get them. My last one costed me $290.00 that is why I am working with the vet closer to where I live to get them and save me some money. But I tell you what if He is worried about what he is going to do with the extra one, I will suggest he can send it to your vet and see what he says.
But I still have not heard from him what he is going to charge me for them. But 100% markup is insane. when I bought my glucose meter from them they did not charge me much more than what I could get it for on the internet, so I think they are really reasonable.
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Post by msav on Mar 17, 2014 11:40:26 GMT -5
$200 for one Des is pretty average markup. Why can't they just let you take the Des home? Then you could sell it to someone on the boards. That's what my vet does. what is that you volunteering to be the HFF single serving Des distribution person? LOL |
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Post by unclejoe on Mar 17, 2014 12:17:29 GMT -5
@katt: working on that but she says technically she's not allowed to distribute "drugs." Plus, it's 115% markup (2.3x retail cost. )
I don't mind paying for 1, but at this point, 1 will cost 400 bucks
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Post by msav on Mar 17, 2014 14:08:10 GMT -5
@katt: working on that but she says technically she's not allowed to distribute "drugs." Plus, it's 115% markup (2.3x retail cost. ) I don't mind paying for 1, but at this point, 1 will cost 400 bucks wow! is that standard markup that vets charge? No wonder it is so expensive to take our fuzzies to the vet. Do they markup at that rate for all animals or just exotics? I need to befriend a vet. so I can get it at cost. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2014 7:20:59 GMT -5
I've had to do the same the last two times -- pay for the two-pack up front (I think it was about $375 for me). If someone else ends up wanting the second implant before I do, they said they'd reimburse me. I've been with this vet long enough to trust them on that, but now that both Hocus and Drogo get them, it's probably not going to be an issue. I hope you can get this worked out with someone nearby!
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Post by lyles on Mar 18, 2014 7:26:16 GMT -5
d*mn, I hope they don't expect me to pay that much for mine when I go at the end of the month, I won't be able to afford it. ><
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Post by unclejoe on Mar 18, 2014 12:01:04 GMT -5
I sent this to Virbac. The only email I found on the site is for the marketing director.
I have been a ferret owner for 8 years. I have had several ferrets with adrenal disease, and until Suprelorin became available through Virbac, I was not able to get it to treat my ferrets. Many ferret owners (ferrants) celebrated the day the announcement was made that it would be made and distributed in the US.
However, there is still a significant hurdle to be jumped. In my area, east central Florida, ferrets are becoming more popular as pets, but most do not receive the veterinary care they require because of costs. It took me until quite recently to find a vet who could even get Suprelorin F, and last August was the first time I used it. Now this vet has told me that because Suprelorin F only comes in packages of 2 or 5, I must purchase at least two implants up front in order for her to order it. My cost comes to $414, and although she said she would hold the other for me, it is unlikely I would need the second implant before its expiration date. When my other ferret got the implant in August, the second expired before she was due for her next one and it was destroyed.
The point I'm laboring to make is that it would greatly help a lot of ferrants and their fuzzies if Suprelorin F implants could be ordered individually. I don't mind that the vet makes a significant markup on a product that only she can obtain, but it is beyond unreasonable to expect a pet lover to pay for a product that he/she won't ever use. It's like buying a new car and parking it in a field just to rust away. I am a moderator on one major ferret forum and a member of several others, and apparently it is common practice for ferrants to have to pay double (quadruple, with markup) for the implants because of the packaging. Most of those second implants are wasted. Due to this practice, I am currently searching for vets within a 100 mile radius that have more ferret patients so that I may be able to get just one implant.
I sincerely and emphatically urge Virbac to consider making Suprelorin F implants available individually so that more ferrets can benefit from it because more of us consumers and pet lovers could afford it. If there is any way for my vet to order one implant, I will gladly forward her contact information to you.
Please forward this message to any appropriate person or department.
I found a vet that normally has it, about 30 min away. She is gonna call my vet and see if they can split a box. If not, Jaffa will go there because they will sell us one at a time.
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Post by msav on Mar 18, 2014 12:20:28 GMT -5
I wish you luck in getting a response. I sent about 3 emails to the virbac and have yet to get a response.
Also In my research I also found that virbac purchased peptech last year
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Post by unclejoe on Mar 18, 2014 14:31:46 GMT -5
SUCCESS!! I got a call from my vet's office saying, "We found another facility willing to split a box of implants for you." Dar and I are like, you found one, right. When I called the second office they mentioned that my vet had called yesterday looking for one, but nothing further was done. So I call them, they asked if I was a patient of the vet who called. So I do the legwork and my vet office claims credit.
At least I can now get one implant, and I know where to go for it in the future. Professional ethics, indeed.
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Post by unclejoe on Mar 20, 2014 12:30:27 GMT -5
Actually got a response from Virbac:
Mr: A:
Thank you for taking the time to communicate your suggestion on Suprelorin F packaging quantities. For per implant cost reasons the two and five count shipping units were chosen. We will continue to evaluate our options in the future based upon market feedback. For the present attached are some clinics that might be able to help assist you.
Thanks again for your input.
Mike
I can't find the attachment...
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Post by msav on Mar 20, 2014 12:37:53 GMT -5
at least you got a reply.
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