Burke Forest's Prescription Policy

At Burke Forest Veterinary Clinic, your pet’s safety comes first. To prescribe and refill medications, we must examine your pet regularly and perform any recommended lab work. Most chronic medications require a physical exam at least every 6 months, and heartworm and flea preventives may be prescribed for up to 1 year with appropriate testing. Some medications need routine bloodwork (for example, for thyroid, seizure, arthritis, or heart conditions); your veterinarian will let you know what’s needed and how often.

We are happy to provide a written prescription during your pet’s exam if you prefer to use a retail or online pharmacy and if a human generic or outside product is appropriate. Because retail pharmacists are not specifically trained in veterinary medicine and substitutions can be risky, we carefully review each medication choice. We do not communicate directly with online pharmacies or respond to faxed/emailed requests; instead, we provide you with one written prescription at your visit for you to submit to the pharmacy of your choice.

For your convenience and your pet’s safety, we encourage using our in‑house pharmacy whenever possible. Our team is trained in veterinary pharmacology, we stock pet-safe products only, and most refills are ready when you arrive, without shipping delays. Please note: Written prescriptions requested outside of an exam require doctor review and processing and are subject to a $25 fee per prescription.