Fake Animal Meds Online.

[Raven]

Take care if you need meds for your pets, seems some online are fake and can cause a lot of upset to your pet, as this person found out to her cost.

BBC News - Fake medicine almost killed my cat - here's how to spot counterfeits - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy9n0y34z14o

[klondike]

Bet the stuff came from China. Some of the fake stuff on AliExpress is usable but I'd never risk medicines or anything like that flea treatment.

[Scrumpy]

Thank you Raven.. This is worth knowing .. I have sent Marnie (daughter) the link..

[Mups]

That's awful.   What kind of evil sod would deliberately make animals suffer like that?
I have read the same is happening to human medicines too.  B**tards.

I do buy online my repeat medicine one of my dogs has to have,  but it is a prescription drug, and has to be vet checked by the company's own veterinary team before they will accept it from my vets and then send it to me.

There are a couple of trusted veterinary pharmacies I have dealt with for years,  and all their contact details are plainly available to email or telephone them any time. They have always been helpful.

I can understand why people do this though,  as the vets prices are horrendous nowadays.
Just yesterday,  my little Gertie was at the vets.   I took her urine test with me, and they did a blood test.   £135 for two tests.

They also wanted  almost £200 per month for Liffey's ongoing meds,  I get them for around £119 -  nearly half price.   
I read somewhere that the veterinary  Royal college  have no control over what vets can charge,  so each practice can charge us as they see fit.

Pet owners need to explore the legitimacy of their wholesaler,  rather than just buy the cheapest price.

Thanks for the warning, Raven. 

[Dextrous63]

Agreed.

Am awaiting the delivery of a prescription spot-on pipette treatment for my cat, sent from a (hopefully) reputable supplier in York.  Better be- 1 pipette for around £37 delivered!!

[Alex]

This is really worrying, thanks for the link I've sent it to my son.

[Mups]

Since Raven started this thread,  I have had notification from my dog medicine company,  warning about this very subject.    One would assume its also the same with fake human medicine too,  but this email warning was needed.

Some people only look for the cheapest they can lay hands on,  but that can be a big mistake - even a fatal one.

These are just some of the ingredients that have been found in pet drugs:

Dangerous additives

Many fake medicines are made with additional ingredients that can be poisonous to pets, just like with poor Smokey. After testing, it was revealed the Fake-Frontline Plus contained Pirimiphos-methyl, a pesticide that is incredibly toxic to cats.  
And this is just one instance of fake medicines containing harmful chemicals and ingredients, but other reports have shown fake meds to include things such as:  

• Rat Poison  
• Arsenic
• Mercury  
• Cement 

The presence of any one of these in a medicinal capacity is concerning, especially since these fake medicines don't require a prescription, so anyone can buy them.  

Here is a whole lot more for those who are interested:

https://www.petdrugsonline.co.uk/pet-advice/how-to-spot-fake-pet-medicines-online?sc_src=email_3037662&sc_lid=208059704&sc_uid=HTnuGLGUMx&sc_llid=42578&sc_customer=C3839566&utm_campaign=NewslettersNL_2025_October_Spot_The_Fakes_NKP_Active&utm_source=Emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Learn+More%C2%A0

[Michael Rolls]

frightening. Never tried alternative for Fleur - only went to the vet

[JBR]

We buy anti-flea treatment for our cats.  A dropper on the back of the neck every three months.  They hate it.  
We get it from the vet, so I assume it is perfectly safe compared to some over the counter stuff.

[Mups]

We buy anti-flea treatment for our cats.  A dropper on the back of the neck every three months.  They hate it. 
We get it from the vet, so I assume it is perfectly safe compared to some over the counter stuff.

I would jolly well hope so if you buy it from your Vet, JBR.  
But better to be safe than sorry ey.