In-House Medications

We can fill many medications right here in our clinic for your convenience. Please allow up to 2 business days for us to prepare your pet’s medication.

If we need to special order it, we’ll let you know right away.

Online Stores

We’re happy to work with the online store of your choice. However, we strongly recommend using our trusted online store. It’s directly backed by veterinary professionals and ensures:

  • Safe, properly stored, and authentic medications
  • Correct dosages and formulations tailored for your pet
  • Clear sourcing and reliable shipping
  • Manufacturer Guarantees

Some large online stores-even well-known ones—do not disclose where their medications come from, and we cannot confidently verify the safety or effectiveness of those products. Making sure your pet’s medication comes from a trusted source is very important!

When you order through our online store or pick up medications at our clinic, they are often covered by a manufacturer guarantee that will often cover the price of treatment in case of product failure.

Written Medication Orders

We’re also happy to provide you with a written medication order that you can take to the store of your choice. Just a heads-up: not all human stores carry pet-specific medications, so we recommend giving them a quick call first to make sure they have it in stock or can order it for you.

Let us know if you have any questions—we’re always here to help!

Controlled Substances

At Summit Veterinary Care, we take the dispensing of controlled substances seriously and strictly follow all federal and Virginia state regulations to ensure the safety of your pets and compliance with the law. Controlled substances are categorized into schedules (I–V) based on their potential for abuse and medical use, with Schedule II drugs being the most tightly regulated. Due to these regulations, we are required to conduct more frequent follow-up exams and monitoring when your pet is ordered certain medications, especially those in higher schedules. Schedule II medications—such as some pain medications—must be issued via a written medication order and cannot be reordered or sent electronically. Medications classified under Schedules III through V may be dispensed in-house, electronically, or with a written medication order. We appreciate your understanding as we follow these guidelines to ensure responsible and legal care for your pet.

FAQ

Yes! If you’d prefer to use a different store, we can provide a written medication order for you to pick up or have sent directly to your store of choice.

We recommend requesting a reorder at least 5–7 days before your pet runs out of medication to allow time for processing, shipping (if applicable), or ordering from suppliers.

Yes. By law, a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is required to order medication. That means your pet typically needs to have been examined within the past year. For some medications or conditions, more frequent check-ins may be required.

Yes. We can approve requests submitted by your online store, or you can request a written medication order to upload or mail to them. However, please note that processing times vary by store, and we recommend using our online store for the most streamlined service.

Some medications require compounding (e.g., flavored liquids, specific dosages). We work with trusted veterinary compounding providers and can help coordinate this when needed.

Yes. There are certain medications we don’t carry or order due to safety concerns, manufacturer restrictions, or lack of veterinary-approved formulations. If that’s the case, we’ll help guide you to a safe alternative or a reliable source.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on medications—even if unopened—due to strict regulations on medication handling and safety. Please contact us if you’re unsure whether to fill a medication order.

Stop giving the medication immediately and call us as soon as possible. If it’s after hours and the reaction seems serious (vomiting, collapse, breathing trouble), please seek emergency veterinary care right away.

Sometimes. While some human medications can be used in pets, the dosage, formulation, and inactive ingredients can vary. Never give your pet a human medication without veterinary guidance—it could be dangerous.