Pharmacy Policy and FAQs
Beginning July 1, 2026, we’re updating how prescriptions are handled at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital to provide a more consistent and reliable experience for our clients and patients. As part of this change, we will no longer submit prescription approvals directly to online pharmacies such as Chewy or 1-800-PetMeds. You are still welcome to use any pharmacy you choose. Our team will provide a prescription for you to submit directly.
What does this mean for you? You still have several options for purchasing your pet’s food and medications:
- MCAH in-hospital pharmacy
- Pick up medications and prescription diets directly from our hospital.
- MCAH online pharmacy
- Home delivery with competitive pricing, autoship savings, and manufacturer rebates.
- Compounding pharmacies
- Compounded medications prepared specifically for your pet.
- We will continue to submit prescriptions for compounding (Wedgewood and Covetrus)
- Local pharmacies
- Convenient pickup at your preferred retail pharmacy.
- We will continue to fax prescriptions to pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, Wegmans
- Outside online pharmacies such as Chewy, 1-800-Pet Meds
- We will provide a written prescription, which you can submit directly to the pharmacy.
- Written prescriptions can be picked up at our hospital or mailed to your home.
Why this change?
These online pharmacies require our team to complete and submit their forms to approve orders for prescription products. It is not uncommon for our team to respond to the same request and resubmit forms multiple times. This process is time-consuming, inconsistent, and takes our staff away from patient care.
In contrast, pharmacies that allow us to send prescriptions directly to them (like local and compounding pharmacies) remain part of our normal workflow.
Our online pharmacy is integrated with our hospital, allowing for faster processing and easier support. Our team is able to review and process requests quickly and provide support if any questions come up. To help with this transition, you can save 10% on your first order through December 2026 using code FIRST2026
How to request medications or prescription food:
No matter where you choose to purchase your pet’s medications or prescription food, you can request prescriptions in whichever way is most convenient for you. Please allow 24 hours for approval on all requests.
- Call or email our team
- Submit a request through our website
- Use the Vello app for refill requests
- Place an order directly through our online pharmacy
Thank you for your continued trust and support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paul Fox & Dr. Matt McGee
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions – Mount Carmel Animal Hospital Pharmacy Policy
How does MCAH’s online pharmacy work?
You can order your pet’s food, medications, and supplements through our online store at any time. Our team reviews and approves any prescription items, and orders are shipped directly to your home. If you ever need help, our team is available to assist with ordering or questions.
Our online pharmacy is hosted by Vetcove Mount Carmel Animal Hospital · Rx
How does this change affect my current orders or refills with Chewy or other online pharmacies?
This change does not cancel existing prescriptions or refills. If you already have an active prescription with refills on file at an outside online pharmacy (such as Chewy or 1-800-PetMeds), you should be able to continue ordering refills as usual until that prescription expires.
Once your current prescription expires, you can decide how you’d like to move forward – either by requesting a written prescription to continue using your preferred online pharmacy, or by ordering through our online store.
If you choose to use our online pharmacy, simply visit our website, create your account, and place your order. Our team will be notified and will review and approve your prescription as needed.
Why are we making this decision now?
Some online pharmacies require our team to complete and submit individual approval forms for each prescription or product. These requests are often duplicated or require multiple follow-ups, which can create delays and take time away from patient care.
This change allows our team to focus more of our time on supporting you and your pets directly.
Are there any changes to how prescriptions are sent to local or compounding pharmacies?
No, there are no changes here. We will continue to send prescriptions directly to local pharmacies (such as CVS or Walgreens) and to compounding pharmacies as we always have.
What about cost?
We understand that cost is an important consideration. Our online pharmacy is designed to offer competitive pricing, and many products are eligible for manufacturer rebates and rewards programs available through veterinary practices.
Many prescription diets and preventatives have manufacturer-set pricing, meaning prices are often similar across pharmacies.
Can I still use an outside online pharmacy if I prefer?
Yes. If you choose to order from an outside online pharmacy, we’re happy to provide a written prescription for you to submit directly to them. Prescriptions can be picked up at the hospital or mailed to your home.