Should my vet refund my money for medications my pet didn’t use?

Our question this week was:

My pet was very sick and my vet prescribed some medication for him. The medications included an antibiotic and a medication to help him breathe better. I didn't want him to stay in the hospital and he died a day later at home. He only got one dose of each medication before he died. I tried to take the medications back to my vet but they would not give me my money back. What can I do?

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Diane M. – Point Clear, Alabama

Answer

Hi Diane – thanks for your email. Veterinarians cannot take back opened and used medications. They generally don't accept returns for any medication as a general policy. I don't think your local human pharmacy would either. There are too many unknowns about what happened to the medication when it was out of their hands. I don't think there is anything you can do other than donate the medication or dispose of the medications properly.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra

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