Why should I buy flea/tick/heartworm preventives from a veterinary hospital when there are other, cheaper places to get it?

If you purchase preventives from sources other than a veterinary hospital or a website affiliated with a veterinary hospital, you don’t have any guarantee that the product is authentic or that it has been stored and shipped properly. Counterfeit product has been showing up a great deal more on internet websites. When you order from your veterinarian, you’ll have the added benefit of being able to rely on his or her expertise and knowledge of your pet’s medical history. In very rare cases, reactions from preventatives can occur. When this does happen, if the product was purchased through your veterinarian, the pharmaceutical company will work with the client and cover some (if not all) of the costs in treating the pet. Also, as much as the online pharmacies promise the costs are lower, they are usually not lower. Charging for hidden fees such as shipping.  When these products are purchased through your vet, you will almost always have some type of rebate or free dose(s) included with your purchase.