Bill shock can sink its teeth into you when paying for medicines and supplements for your pets. But you can cut the cost for furry family members by widening the search beyond the local vet surgery. Discounts of up to 50 per cent are available for exactly the same product when bought through online pet medicine suppliers or large pet retail stores. Veterinarians may also charge dispensing fees between $10 and $50 on top of medication costs. Buying supplies from online stores is usually cheapest because of their lower business overheads, but be sure to factor in delivery charges when doing your sums.