Knowledge base

UK dog medication, prescriptions, and the CMA reforms, explained plainly.

All Prescriptions CMA Apoquel Vetmedin Switching

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The CMA Order comes into force today: what UK dog owners need to know

The CMA's veterinary services Order is legally binding from 23 September 2026. Six reforms, the new £21 prescription cap, and the four step sequence to save £200 to £700 a year.

Apoquel

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Apoquel side effects, what UK dog owners should actually watch for

The common ones (vomiting, lethargy), the important ones (lumps, demodex, infection masking) and the rare ones. Plus two questions to ask your vet and when to come off.

Apoquel

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How long does Cytopoint take to work? (And how to think about cost)

Day-by-day timeline of the Cytopoint injection, what to do if it isn't working by day 7, and the split prescription trick that nearly halves the bundled vet price.

Vetmedin

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Vetmedin vs Cardisure, are they actually the same? (And the £400/year question)

Both are pimobendan, both VMD-approved. What's actually different, the £380 to £665 annual gap explained, how to switch safely, and when you shouldn't.

Prescriptions

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When to ask your UK vet for a written prescription, and when not to bother

When the £21 fee pays for itself in days, when it does not, the £12.50 bundling trick, a copy-paste email template, and what to do if your vet refuses.

Switching

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Bravecto vs NexGard vs Simparica, which UK flea and tick treatment is actually better?

Honest comparison table covering dosing, coverage, side effects and price. Which one wins for which dog, and what the CMA top-10 disclosure rule changes.

Cost guide

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel heart medication, UK cost guide

Mitral valve disease affects roughly half of Cavaliers by age 10. Vet £93 to £158/mo vs online £37 to £70/mo. £640 to £1,055/yr saving, lifetime £2,500 to £4,200.

Cost guide

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Labrador joint and pain medication, UK cost guide

Labs are the most arthritic UK breed. For a 35 kg Lab on Galliprant + gabapentin: £132/mo vet vs £48/mo online. £1,000+/yr saving, lifetime £4,000 to £5,500.

Cost guide

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French Bulldog skin and allergy medication, UK cost guide

Frenchies are the most allergy-prone UK breed. £100 to £130/mo vet vs £45 to £65/mo online. The Apoquel vs Cytopoint decision, skin folds, ear cycle and lifetime cost.

Industry

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What we found, the UK Dog Medication Price Index, May 2026

Three findings from the May 2026 index: the biggest mark up isn't Apoquel, Cardisure is dramatically undersold, and online prices move week-to-week. Methodology and press lines included.

CMA

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A vet's view on the CMA reforms, and what owners can actually do without being annoying

Balanced piece. What the reform changes for vets, what dispensary mark up actually pays for, how to request a written prescription without making the practice's day worse, and when not to switch.

Switching

Invalid Date · 8 min read

How to switch vet practice in the UK, when it's worth it and how to do it

When it's worth changing practice and when it isn't. Three practical steps, the RCVS records-transfer rule (5 working days), and the common worries that hold people back.

New posts most months around the first weekend, timed with the monthly price-index refresh. Written by the Vet Bill Saver editorial team.