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Repeat Prescriptions for Pets in Stroud & Stonehouse
If your pet needs long-term medication, we want to make getting their repeat pet prescriptions as straightforward as possible. Use the form below to submit your request and we'll aim to have it ready for the next day.
What you Need to Know Before Requesting your Repeat Prescription.
Your pet must be under our care. Before we can issue or renew a prescription, your pet needs to be a registered patient and to have been clinically assessed by one of our vets. For most long-term medications, we need to have seen your pet within the last 6 months. This is to make sure your pet is still well, that the medication is still working and there are no side effects developing. We can find out about any changes and, in chronic conditions like arthritis or heart failure, check that your pet is on the right dose or medications for them.
Some medications require a physical examination every time. If your pet needs antibiotics or flea, worm and tick products, for example, you’ll need to arrange a consultation before the prescription can be issued.
We’re qualified and regulated by the proper authorities. Veterinary prescriptions in the UK are regulated by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). These rules apply to every reputable vet practice in the country and they exist to protect you and your pet.
As an independent vet practice in Stroud & Stonehouse, we follow all RCVS and VMD requirements to the letter, because we believe good prescribing is as much a part of good veterinary care as anything else we do.
Written Prescriptions for Pets - Using an Online Pharmacy
We can dispense most medications directly from the practice and, in many cases, that's the most convenient option. But if you'd prefer to source your pet's medication elsewhere, you're entitled to ask for a written prescription for your pet and we're happy to provide one.
If you do use an online pharmacy, please make sure it's legitimate. Any UK-based online retailer of veterinary medicines must be registered with the VMD.
Why Bowbridge Vets?
The CMA, the government’s Competition and Markets Authority completed a major investigation into the UK veterinary sector in March 2026. They found that fewer than half of people using a large veterinary group even knew their practice was part of a chain. We think that matters. When you deal with Bowbridge Vets, you know exactly who you're dealing with.
As independent vets, we make decisions based on what's right for your pet, not on what’s good for our sales targets or profit margins. That applies to prescribing just as much as it does to everything else. If medication is no longer the best option for your pet, we'll tell you.
We've been caring for the pets of Stroud and Stonehouse since 1967. The teams at both our surgeries know many of our patients well and that continuity makes a genuine difference when managing long-term conditions.
Whether you're requesting repeat prescriptions for pets in Stroud or at our Stonehouse surgery, the same careful, personalised approach applies.
You will receive:
- Transparency: We'll explain what we're prescribing and why.
- Independence. No pressure to buy from us. If a written prescription works better for you, we'll provide one.
- Regulated and responsible. In line with RCVS and VMD regulations, a qualified vet authorises every prescription.
Request a Repeat Prescription
Please complete all fields below. Depending on the medicine in question and the time since your last visit, we may need to book a check-up before your prescription can be issued; if so, we’ll be in touch.
One form per pet, please. If you have more than one animal that needs medication, submit a separate request for each.
Allow at least two working days. Every request needs to be reviewed and authorised by one of our vets. Please don't leave it until you've run out.
Why Choose Bowbridge Vets?
Bowbridge Vets has been caring for the pets of Stroud and Stonehouse since 1967. Our team of RCVS-registered vets and Registered Veterinary Nurses brings decades of combined clinical experience to every appointment, from routine preventative care to complex primary care cases.
Most of our team have been with us for many decades, which means your pet is seen by people who know them, and who they know.
As an independent practice, we are not part of a corporate group. Every clinical decision is made by the vet in front of you, based entirely on what is right for your pet.
Our clients trust us with their pets year after year. That trust, built over more than half a century in this community, is something we work hard to preserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I order a repeat prescription for my pet?
The easiest way is to use the online form above, it's available any time and means your request goes straight to our team for review. Please allow at least two working days, so don't leave it until you've run out. Bear in mind that some prescriptions require a vet sign-off or even a brief check-up before they can be issued, so make sure there's enough time to ensure no gap in your pet's treatment.
Can I order my pet's medication over the phone?
Yes. If you'd prefer to speak to someone rather than use the online form, just call us on 01453 762350 during opening hours and a member of our team will take your details. Phone requests go through the same authorisation process as online ones, a vet still needs to review and approve the prescription before it's issued, so the two-working-day turnaround applies in either case. If something is urgent, let us know and we'll do our best to prioritise it.
Does my pet need to be seen before I can get a repeat prescription?
Not necessarily, but regular check-ups are a legal requirement under RCVS regulations for long-term prescriptions. In that case, we'll ask to see your pet at least every six months because conditions can change and medications can become less effective over time. A quick check-up means we can stay on top of things. If your pet's due a review, we'll let you know when you submit your form.
Why do some medications always need a vet appointment?
RCVS 'Under Care Guidance' regulations require a physical examination before prescribing antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and antiparasitic treatments, including prescription flea, tick and worm products. This is a legal requirement across all vet practices in the UK. If your repeat request involves one of these medication types, we'll contact you to arrange a brief appointment.
Can I get a written prescription to use at an online pharmacy?
Yes. You're entitled to request a written prescription rather than buying directly from us and we'll provide one. If you do use an online pharmacy, please check that it's registered with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
How long does a prescription take to process?
We aim to process all requests within two working days, excluding weekends and bank holidays. If your pet hasn't been seen recently and a check-up is needed before we can issue the prescription, we'll contact you to arrange this.
How long is a written prescription valid?
For most medications, a written prescription is valid for six months from the date of issue, unless we specify a shorter period. Controlled drugs are an exception, they can only be dispensed once within 28 days of the prescription date and, don't forget, repeat pet prescriptions for Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs are not permitted under UK law.
How will I know when my pet's medication is ready to collect?
We'll contact you as soon as your prescription is ready, either by phone or email, depending on the contact details you provide in the form. If we need to see your pet for a check-up before we can issue the prescription, we'll be in touch to arrange that first. If you haven't heard from us within two working days, please give us a call.
What if we're running low?
If you're in danger of running out of medication and need it urgently, please call us directly rather than using the online form. We'll do our best to help.
Can I request prescriptions for more than one pet at a time?
You can, but please submit a separate form for each animal. It helps us keep records accurate and makes sure each request is authorised against the right patient's history.
What is a POM-V medicine?
POM-V stands for Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian. It is a classification used by the VMD (Veterinary Medicines Directorate) for medicines that can only be prescribed by a registered veterinary surgeon and supplied by a vet or a registered pharmacist with a valid written prescription.
The classification exists because these medicines require professional clinical judgement to use safely. Common examples include certain antibiotics, anti-epileptic drugs, thyroid medications and some antiparasitic treatments.
If your pet is on a POM-V medicine, a vet must assess them and authorise the prescription. It cannot be issued automatically or by a non-vet. A written POM-V prescription is typically valid for up to six months, or 28 days in the case of controlled drugs.
How much does a written prescription cost?
If a written prescription is required, so you can purchase the medication from an online pharmacy, for example, a prescription fee applies. This covers the vet's professional time in reviewing your pet's clinical history, assessing the appropriateness of the medication and signing a legal document.
Written prescription fees are being brought in line with new CMA-mandated caps: £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for each additional medicine on the same prescription. We write a prescription for each individual pet. These changes are being rolled out from 2027, with larger veterinary groups required to comply first.
It's worth weighing up whether a written prescription makes financial sense for your pet's specific medication. For expensive long-term treatments, the savings on the medication can outweigh the prescription fee but, for lower-cost medications, it may not. If you're unsure, ask our team, we're happy to help you work it out.
Can I use a human pharmacy for my pet's prescription?
Possibly, yes. This is permitted under UK law and can be a useful option.
This means that if you have a written prescription from us, you can take it to a human pharmacy and ask them to dispense it, provided they stock or can source the relevant product.
However, in practice, human pharmacies don't always carry veterinary medicines. Also, some products are only licensed for veterinary use and unavailable through a human pharmacy. But, for certain medications, particularly those with equivalent human formulations, it can be worth enquiring.