Blog
Plain-English explainers on UK dog medication, side effects, generic alternatives, and what the CMA's 2026 reforms mean in practice. Specific £ numbers, no fluff.
23 September 2026 · 6 min read
The CMA Order comes into force today: what UK dog owners need to know
The CMA's veterinary services Order is legally binding from 23 September 2026. Six reforms, the new £21 prescription cap, and the four-step sequence to save £200-£700 a year.
15 May 2026 · 7 min read
Apoquel side effects — what UK dog owners should actually watch for
The common ones (vomiting, lethargy), the important ones (lumps, demodex, infection masking) and the rare ones. Plus two questions to ask your vet and when to come off.
15 May 2026 · 6 min read
How long does Cytopoint take to work? (And how to think about cost)
Day-by-day timeline of the Cytopoint injection, what to do if it isn't working by day 7, and the split-prescription trick that nearly halves the bundled vet price.
15 May 2026 · 6 min read
Vetmedin vs Cardisure — are they actually the same? (And the £400/year question)
Both are pimobendan, both VMD-approved. What's actually different, the £380-£665 annual gap explained, how to switch safely, and when you shouldn't.
15 May 2026 · 7 min read
When to ask your UK vet for a written prescription — and when not to bother
When the £21 fee pays for itself in days, when it does not, the £12.50 bundling trick, a copy-paste email template, and what to do if your vet refuses.
15 May 2026 · 7 min read
Bravecto vs NexGard vs Simparica — which UK flea and tick treatment is actually better?
Honest comparison table covering dosing, coverage, side effects and price. Which one wins for which dog, and what the CMA top-10 disclosure rule changes.
15 May 2026 · 8 min read
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel heart medication — UK cost guide
Mitral valve disease affects roughly half of Cavaliers by age 10. Vet £93-£158/mo vs online £37-£70/mo. £640-£1,055/yr saving, lifetime £2,500-£4,200.
15 May 2026 · 8 min read
Labrador joint and pain medication — UK cost guide
Labs are the most arthritic UK breed. For a 35 kg Lab on Galliprant + gabapentin: £132/mo vet vs £48/mo online. £1,000+/yr saving, lifetime £4,000-£5,500.
15 May 2026 · 8 min read
French Bulldog skin and allergy medication — UK cost guide
Frenchies are the most allergy-prone UK breed. £100-£130/mo vet vs £45-£65/mo online. The Apoquel vs Cytopoint decision, skin folds, ear cycle and lifetime cost.
15 May 2026 · 9 min read
What we found — the UK Dog Medication Price Index, May 2026
Three findings from the May 2026 index: the biggest mark-up isn't Apoquel, Cardisure is dramatically undersold, and online prices move week-to-week. Methodology and press lines included.
15 May 2026 · 9 min read
A vet's view on the CMA reforms — and what owners can actually do without being annoying
Balanced piece. What the reform changes for vets, what dispensary mark-up actually pays for, how to request a written prescription without making the practice's day worse, and when not to switch.
15 May 2026 · 8 min read
How to switch vet practice in the UK — when it's worth it and how to do it
When it's worth changing practice and when it isn't. Three practical steps, the RCVS records-transfer rule (5 working days), and the common worries that hold people back.
New posts most months around the first weekend, timed with the monthly price-index refresh. Written by Stephen at Superwild.