Wilmington, NC (WECT) – Popular prescription medications for treating pain and seizures in dogs and cats can be difficult to get right away.
Starting March 1, new state law requires veterinarians to report their prescription to their state.
This comes in part in order to see who the doctor is prescribing and whether it can lead to a fatal situation.
“So when we distribute to clients who have more than 48 hours to manage their pets at home, we need to report it to the reporting committee,” said Dawn McKelby, an inventory specialist at East Carolina Veterinary Hospital. I said that.
This drug is generally prescribed to humans for pain relief and seizures, but more and more people are using it along with opioids. A fatal combination.
Therefore, the state is currently requiring doctors to report prescriptions for gabapentin. This not only prevents abuse, it also cracks down on potential black markets.
“And the prescription is checked by the pharmacist because if you are taking opioids and taking gabapentin, it’s the same as making sure the patient is not taking opioids.”
Now, the fear that pet owners can prescribe gabapentin to their pets is why the state requires veterinarians to report prescriptions for drugs.
However, some veterinarians view the new law as too much a headache and no longer distributes drugs.
Brunswick Forest Veterinary Hospital recently told pet owners it would stop prescribing gabapentin when the law comes into effect on March 1.
They said in a statement:
On March 1, 2025, Brunswick Forest Veterinary Hospital will no longer be able to distribute gabapentin due to changes in state regulations.
If your pet uses gabapentin regularly, please contact us. Please explain the alternative options that you can offer. You can arrange delivery arrangements through online pharmacies and provide guidance on other prescription fulfillment options.
Please note that liquid gabapentin from human pharmacies may not be safe for pets as it contains potentially harmful ingredients. If your pet needs liquid gabapentin, it must be filled with a combined pharmacy to ensure safety.
We appreciate your understanding and are here to assist with any questions or concerns. Please contact our team for more information.
However, not all veterinarians are following the lawsuit, and it’s not that much to say that complying with the law is not too much to ask them or their pet owners.
“So the only new thing for clients they’re going to see in our management form or our admin form is that when they come in, they’re going to ask for their date of birth. That’s the matter,” McElby said.
At the end of the day, the goal is to ensure your pet is happy and healthy.
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