How to make veterinary consumables ordering easier for your practice

Consumables ordering is a regular job in every veterinary practice, but the details can become scattered. One colleague knows the glove sizes, another remembers the catheter code and an old invoice holds the reference for a specialist item. Bringing those details together gives your team a more useful starting point.

At DMS Veterinary, we supply everyday consumables alongside specialist clinical products. Whether you are reviewing a routine order or searching for a less familiar item, we welcome a conversation about what your practice needs.

Create one clear purchasing list

Keep the approved product name, manufacturer reference, size and pack quantity together. Add the supplier link and storage location where useful. Give someone responsibility for keeping the list current, with input from the people who use the products.

Separate routine essentials from items purchased for particular procedures. Syringes, needles, gloves and dressings may feature in regular replenishment, while a specialist tube or catheter may need a different ordering plan.

Set stock levels using your own usage

Review what your practice uses over a typical ordering period. Consider storage space, expiry dates and current lead times when setting the point at which each item should be reordered. Revisit those quantities when your workload or services change.

Keep an eye on items that are repeatedly ordered urgently. That pattern can be a useful reason to review the quantity held, the ordering schedule or how stock use is recorded.

Explore more of your supplier’s range

If you already buy one specialist product from DMS, you may find other items on your regular list here too. Our catalogue covers IV consumables, critical care, surgical products, gloves, gowns and drapes, general consumables, wound care and equine ranges.

Review those categories against your existing purchasing list. Comparing like for like specifications and pack quantities gives a clearer picture than comparing product names alone. You can introduce another supplier gradually, starting with the products that make sense for your practice.

Ask before making a substitution

When an established item is unavailable, share its product code and the specification your clinical team needs. A possible alternative should be checked for its intended use and compatibility before it is approved. Keep the agreed replacement reference on the stock list so the next order is clear.

A personal conversation can help you find the relevant product information without working through the catalogue on your own.

Get to know DMS Veterinary

Explore our range and register for a DMS Veterinary account. If you have a purchasing question, call 0333 9000 900 or email sales@dmsveterinary.com. Tell us what you normally use, what you are looking for and when you need it, and we can discuss current availability and the next step.

Great products are important. Great service matters just as much.

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IMPORTANT CUSTOMER NOTICE

We’re upgrading our systems to help us provide a better and more efficient service to our customers.

We will suspend order processing from 2pm on Wednesday 21st October to Wednesday 28th October 2026.

You will still be able to place orders with us during this period; however, these orders will be held and will not be processed until normal order processing resumes on Wednesday 28 October.

Please plan ahead and place your consumable orders early to ensure you have sufficient stock during our closure