Like fighting parents, pharmacies and veterinarian offices are arguing over money, and the customers are caught in the middle.

Pharmacies often sell the same prescription medications as veterinarian offices do, but for cheaper prices.

Veterinarians say they have to charge more for medication to cover the costs of running a business.

Customers are complaining their vets aren't telling them they can get the same medications more cheaply at local drug stores.

One local pet owner told the Star this week she was outraged after she watched a recent CBC television show that explained veterinarians are charging more for medications, and not telling their customers. She said when her dog developed a cough last fall, the vet bills piled up.

'He had this cough and so they did this test, and then an X-ray, and then tried this antibiotic that didn't work, so they tried another antibiotic and it all adds up,' said the woman, who asked that her name not be published.

She told the doctor treating her pooch at the Copper Road Veterinary Clinic that she didn't have much money, but the doctor did not advise her she could pick up the same drugs being prescribed at the human drug store, for less.

'Why didn't they tell me this? One in particular cost me $30 at the vet, but I checked after and I could have got it at Shoppers (Drug Mart) for $23,' she said.

The day before the CBC show was telecast, the Canadian Veterinary Association issued letters to all members advising them on how to respond to customer concerns they're being taken advantage of.

Dr. Marina Alpeza works at the Copper Road Veterinary Clinic, and told the Star her office had received a similar letter.

A copy obtained by the Star asks vets to tell customers why their drug prices are typically higher, in what the Canadian Veterinary Food Animal Network calls a 'fight' that is 'about to explode across the country.'

The letter asks animal doctors 'to encourage the pharmaceutical industry to restructure drug debate and/or pricing systems so that they are not empowering a few retailing companies with the ability to gain drug clientele based solely on predatory and uncompetitive drug prices.'

Pharmacist Joanne Gibson, who works at the Qwanlin Mall Shoppers Drug Mart, said Thursday she has served customers buying medications for their pets.

She said the drug doses are often different for animals, but that there are usually no problems filling animal prescriptions.

Alpez told the Star veterinarians' higher drug costs are not a money-grab or a scheme.

She said human-supply pharmacies receive subsidies from the government, which helps lower the cost of their drugs. Vets do not receive such subsidies, she said, and are still obligated to carry certain medications.

'We have to have overhead on our shelves; we can't rely on drug stores,' she said.

'We need the drugs to provide emergency services when drug stores are closed.'

Alpeza also said their drug prices reflect the costs of running a business in the Yukon.

It is difficult to entice a veterinarian to come up north to practise, and so incentives are offered, which cost money. That, and they operate as small businesses.

'Why would we keep drugs on hand and then send people to Wal-Mart? If it were your business, would you do that? No,' she said.

The difficulty of running a vet clinic in Whitehorse has seen other clinics go bankrupt and close, she said, referring to the Midnight Sun Veterinary Clinic and Yukon Veterinary Services.

Vet clinics are responsible for pricing their own products, said Alpeza, although there are guidelines that direct pricing.

'We don't have set prices ... they reflect the cost of doing business in the Yukon,' she said.

Alpeza makes an argument for vet clinics, one echoed on many industries, such as the coffee chain versus independent cafÈ debate, or the choice between the locally owned bookstore and the chain outlet.

The decision is up to the customer, and whether that is based upon cheaper supply or supporting local business is up to the individual.