Repeat prescriptions for pets
How it works with Vetalia
Long-term medication is a normal part of veterinary care for many pets. Conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, thyroid disorders, epilepsy and chronic skin disease often require ongoing treatment, sometimes for life.
Repeat prescriptions exist to ensure pets continue to receive safe, appropriate medication while allowing the prescribing vet to maintain clinical oversight. Vetalia is designed to make repeat prescriptions simple, predictable, and easy to manage — without repeated phone calls or last-minute stress.
What is a repeat prescription?
A repeat prescription allows a veterinary surgeon to authorise a medication to be supplied multiple times over a defined period, without the need for a new prescription for each supply.
This approach is commonly used for stable, long-term conditions where ongoing treatment is required but regular clinical reviews remain in place.
- Long-term conditions requiring continuous medication
- Patients whose dose is stable and unlikely to change frequently
- Situations where monitoring continues through the prescribing practice
Repeat prescriptions are routine in veterinary medicine and help balance continuity of care with appropriate professional oversight.
How repeat prescriptions work with Vetalia
Step 1: Upload your prescription
Once your vet has issued a prescription, you upload it securely during checkout or via your customer account. Each prescription is checked to ensure it is valid, appropriate, and within the authorised repeat period.
Step 2: Place your order
Once approved, your medication can be supplied in line with the prescription instructions. You only order when you need to — there is no automatic supply but you can set up email repeat reminders for when you are about to run out.
Step 3: Reorder when required
When you’re running low, you can reorder directly through your Vetalia account, provided the prescription remains valid and within its authorised timeframe (usually 6 months).
Optional repeat reminders (fully under your control)
Managing long-term medication can be easy to forget, especially when routines change or life gets busy. Vetalia offers optional email reminders to help prevent pets running out of essential medication.
Repeat reminders:
- Can be set up at checkout after placing an order
- Can also be enabled later via your order status page or account area
- Are completely optional
- Can be turned on or off at any time
You stay in control. Some owners prefer reminders for peace of mind, while others like to reorder manually. Vetalia supports both approaches.
What happens if a prescription expires?
Veterinary prescriptions are time-limited for safety and clinical reasons. If a prescription expires or reaches the end of its authorised repeat period:
- Vetalia cannot supply further medication under that prescription
- A new prescription from your vet will be required before reordering
- This ensures continued clinical oversight and safe ongoing treatment
This process reflects standard veterinary practice and helps protect pets receiving long-term medication.
Why repeat prescriptions still require checks
Even for stable long-term conditions, repeat prescriptions are not “set and forget”. Prescribing vets may need to:
- Review response to treatment
- Adjust dosage over time
- Monitor blood tests or other clinical parameters
- Reassess whether a medication remains appropriate
Vetalia’s prescription checks ensure medicines are supplied responsibly and in line with UK veterinary regulations, in accordance with our prescription policy .
Common questions about repeat prescriptions
Do I have to use reminders?
No. Repeat reminders are optional and can be enabled or disabled at any time.
Can I reorder early?
You can reorder when appropriate, but supplies must still align with the prescription instructions and authorised timeframe.
What if my pet’s dose changes?
If your vet changes the dose or medication, a new prescription reflecting the updated instructions will be required.