Getting Your Pet’s Prescription Filled: A Step-by-Step Guide

Has your veterinarian prescribed a medication for your pet? You may be wondering how to send the prescription, what happens after you order, and when the medication will be ready.

At Cook’s Pet Pharmacy, we help you understand each step—from receiving the prescription to explaining how to give the medication at home.

Step 1: Get a Prescription from Your Veterinarian

Your veterinarian assesses your pet and decides which medication, dose, and treatment schedule are appropriate.

If you would like to have the medication filled at a pharmacy, ask your veterinarian for a prescription or arrange for the clinic to send it directly. In Ontario, pet owners can request a written prescription to be filled at a pharmacy of their choice once the veterinarian has determined that medication is warranted.

Before ordering, check with us about availability—particularly for medications that need to be specially ordered or compounded.

Step 2: Send the Prescription to Cook’s Pet Pharmacy

You can arrange for us to receive your pet’s prescription in one of these ways:

• Email: Have your veterinary clinic send it directly to columbia@cooksrx.ca.

• Fax: Have your veterinary clinic fax it directly to 226-512-0101.

• In person: Bring the original written prescription to Cook’s Pharmacy, 101–140 Columbia St W, Waterloo.

If you have a photo or scanned copy, contact us for instructions. We may need the original prescription or direct confirmation from your veterinarian before dispensing.

Placing an online order does not replace the need for a valid prescription. Prescription medication can only be dispensed once the prescription requirements and pharmacy review are complete.

Step 3: Share Your Pet’s Information

To help us create an accurate patient profile, please have the following information ready:

• Your name and contact information

• Your pet’s name, species, age, and current weight

• Your veterinarian’s name and clinic details

• Any known allergies or previous medication reactions

• Other medications and supplements your pet takes

Let us know if your pet struggles with tablets, refuses certain flavours, or has difficulty taking their current medication. These details can help us identify questions to discuss with your veterinarian.

Step 4: The Pharmacy Reviews the Prescription

Our pharmacy team reviews the prescription and the information provided before preparing the medication.

If any details need clarification—such as the strength, directions, or dosage form—we may need to contact your veterinarian. This can affect when the medication is ready.

For compounded prescriptions, we also assess whether the requested preparation is suitable. A customized strength or form requires an appropriate veterinary prescription.

Step 5: Confirm Preparation and Delivery Details

Before your order is finalized, make sure you understand the total cost, estimated preparation time, and pickup or shipping arrangements.

Some medications are readily available, while others require ordering or compounding. Refrigerated products may also need special transport arrangements.

If your pet is almost out of medication, tell us exactly how many doses remain. We can explain the expected timeline, but urgent treatment needs should also be discussed with your veterinarian.

Step 6: Review the Instructions Before the First Dose

When you receive the medication, check your pet’s name and read the label carefully.

Make sure you understand:

• How much to give and how often

• How to measure or administer each dose

• Whether it should be given with food

• Any shaking, storage, or handling instructions

• The expiry or beyond-use date

• What to do if a dose is missed

Ask us if anything is unclear. If the medication looks different from a previous supply or the directions are unexpected, check with the pharmacy before giving it.

Step 7: Plan Ahead for Refills

Keep track of your pet’s remaining supply and contact us before it runs out. Allow time for preparation, shipping, and veterinary approval if needed.

If no authorized refills remain, your veterinarian will need to decide whether to approve continued treatment. A checkup or monitoring may be required before a new prescription is issued.

Ready to get started? Contact Cook’s Pet Pharmacy at 519-208-9767 for help with your pet’s prescription.

Prescription medications require a valid veterinary prescription. Availability and preparation times vary by medication.