Latest news with #AlanWall
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Urgent government alert as cat poisoned by flea medicine
Pet owners are being urged to check packaging and be wary of third-party sellers as dangerous fake treatments with toxic substances have been discovered on e-commerce sites. Insecticide discovered in counterfeit flea treatments trigger vomiting, seizures and potential death. One cat has already required emergency surgery after severe poisoning. Smokey the cat needed life-saving surgery following poisoning by counterfeit flea medicine After purchasing what appeared to be genuine Frontline flea treatment online for his cat, Smokey, Alan Wall from Preston was devastated when Smokey became very unwell. The condition was so severe that Smokey required emergency intestinal surgery to survive. This was followed by a week-long stay at the veterinary surgery and significant bills to support his recovery. 'Smokey is more than just a pet, he's a member of our family," says Alan. "When he became ill after using what we believed was a genuine flea treatment, we were terrified. Watching him suffer, not knowing whether he would pull through, was heartbreaking. (Image: Alan Wall) "It's taken a huge emotional toll on all of us. Without the support of our vets and the extensive surgery they performed we know Smokey wouldn't be with us today. We want to warn other pet owners about these fake products so that no one else has to endure what we've been through." Testing by experts at the University of Bath confirmed Alan's suspicions that the flea treatment was counterfeit and revealed that it contained traces of Pirimiphos-methyl, a potentially lethal insecticide. The sample was also found to be missing (S)-methoprene – one of the two main active ingredients in the genuine medicine. Sue Horseman from Bristol also purchased what appeared to be Frontline flea treatment online for her cat, but quickly became suspicious that the product wasn't genuine. Sue explained that the product was difficult to open and had a distinct smell of white spirit and paraffin, whereas the genuine flea treatment has no smell. When she reported this to Trading Standards, experts confirmed that the treatment was a counterfeit. While the online platform has removed the seller, they had already managed to sell 211 batches of suspected counterfeit pet medicines and supplements, including fake Frontline Flea and Tick Treatment and Pro Plan FortiFlora Probiotic Sachets for dogs and cats. How can pet owners spot the dangerous counterfeit medicines? Warning signs include poor packaging, spelling mistakes, unusual smells and suspiciously low prices. New figures show three quarters of consumers wrongly believe fake goods are of similar quality to genuine products. Pet owners should only buy from trusted sources and immediately report suspicious products. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD) is urging pet owners to take caution when purchasing common medicines, including common flea treatments and wormers. The fake flea medicine (Image: IPO) The alert comes after toxic pesticide traces were found in a fake flea treatment that caused a pet cat to become seriously ill, prompting the owner to have the product tested. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Pirimiphos-methyl, a dangerous insecticide toxic to cats. Officials are urging pet owners to recognise signs of counterfeit products, avoid using suspicious items, and know how to report concerns. Cat and dog owners have been issued an urgent flea warning this summer The surge in counterfeit animal medicine follows a vet warning for fleas this summer. These medicines deliberately copy the appearance, packaging and branding of genuine veterinary products to deceive pet owners. Like all counterfeits, they are illegal to sell in the UK. These fakes typically lack proper active ingredients, making them ineffective. Worse still, they may also contain harmful substances, causing severe reactions including vomiting, muscle tremors, breathing difficulties, seizures and potentially death. How can you treat fleas? The most effective way to control flea infestations is to treat your pet directly all year round with a vet-approved product. Prevention is always better than cure. If you do discover you have a flea problem, it is important to treat both your cat or dog AND your home. But, pet owners seeking bargains, or a quick purchase online may unknowingly purchase these dangerous counterfeits. Nina Downing, Vet Nurse from PDSA, a vet charity and a leading authority on pet health in the UK, says: 'We always recommend that you only give your pet medication which has been prescribed by your vet. When fulfilling a prescription online, source them from reputable companies that are on the Register of online retailers, brought to you by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. If you suspect your pet is reacting badly to any medication, contact your vet immediately." The VMD and IPO are urging owners to check for warning signs including poor packaging, spelling errors, missing information, and unusual smells. Last year alone, the VMD issued 122 seizure notices for the selling of unauthorised animal medicines and supplements, preventing around 18,000 illegal items from reaching consumers. A Veterinary Medicines Directorate Veterinary Surgeon and Efficacy Assessor, Dr Heilin-Anne Leonard-Pugh, explains: 'Pirimiphos-methyl is toxic to cats. Exposure to this insecticide can prevent the cat's body from breaking down a substance called acetylcholine, leading to an overstimulation of the cat's nervous system. This can cause symptoms such as vomiting, uncoordinated gait, muscle tremors, weakness, paralysis, increased sensitivity to touch, difficulty breathing, restlessness, urinary incontinence, low heart rate and seizures. In some cases, even death can sadly occur. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a counterfeit medicine, seek veterinary advice immediately." New IPO research shows that counterfeit goods of all types are frequently purchased via global e-commerce websites. The IPO's Deputy Director of Enforcement Helen Barnham, says: 'We are a nation of animal lovers, and criminals dealing in counterfeits are targeting pet owners with complete disregard for the animal's wellbeing. This can have some distressing consequences, as they may contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to our pets. We are urging pet owners to be vigilant when purchasing any type of animal treatment, and beware of any offers that 'look too good to be true'. 'Counterfeiting is anything but a victimless crime and this latest discovery confirms this. If you suspect that any goods offered for sale may be counterfeit, you should always report this to your local Trading Standards or Crimestoppers Online.' Caroline Allen, RSPCA Chief Veterinary Officer, adds: 'We are very concerned about counterfeit vet treatments on sale which can be highly toxic to pets and we would always urge pet owners to seek professional veterinary advice if they have any health concerns. 'We appreciate financial pressures can lead to some owners to look for cheaper treatments online but they could be unwittingly putting their beloved pets in serious danger by inadvertently buying these counterfeit goods and would urge them to take on board this Government advice.' Recommended reading: How to identify fake animal medicines online Poor quality or damaged packaging. Spelling or grammar errors. Missing leaflets or expiry dates. Instructions not provided in English. Suspicious smell, colour or texture. Poor quality tablets, capsules, vials or pipettes – homemade appearance. Be wary of any retailer selling prescription only products without asking for your prescription. This is illegal. All online sellers of prescription only animal medicines must be registered with the VMD. If in any doubt, you can check retailers on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers. Be cautious of heavily discounted goods and flash sales. Question the price if much cheaper than elsewhere. Whether buying online or in person, always think about the price If you see these goods being offered for sale, whether on a website, social media post or on the high street, contact your local Trading Standards or Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.
Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Fake flea treatment ‘could poison your cat'
Pet owners have been warned of fake flea treatments that are poisoning animals. Government officials have issued an alert that counterfeit over-the-counter veterinary treatments are being sold illegally with many containing toxic chemicals. One cat was treated with fake anti-flea medication that contained an insecticide, which caused the animal to become seriously ill. Smokey the cat became very sick and spent a week at the vet and required surgery to survive. Owner Alan Wall, from Preston, sent the product to be tested and analysis at the University of Bath revealed it contained Pirimiphos-methyl, an insecticide that is harmful to cats. The drug, which was a fake 'Frontline' product, also only contained one of the two active compounds and was therefore likely to not be fully effective in treating fleas. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) on Wednesday sent a warning to owners and urged caution when buying these products. Dr Heilin-Anne Leonard-Pugh, a veterinary surgeon at VMD, said: 'Pirimiphos-methyl is toxic to cats. 'Exposure to this insecticide can prevent the cat's body from breaking down a substance called acetylcholine, leading to an overstimulation of the cat's nervous system. 'This can cause symptoms such as vomiting, uncoordinated gait, muscle tremors, weakness, paralysis, increased sensitivity to touch, difficulty breathing, restlessness, urinary incontinence, low heart rate and seizures. In some cases, even death can sadly occur. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a counterfeit medicine, seek veterinary advice immediately.' Telltale warning signs that the product is not authentic and likely fake are spelling errors, poor-quality packaging, unusual smells and missing information. Owners have been warned to be wary when buying online and told that if the price seems very cheap then it probably is too good to be true and should be avoided. Any suspicions about counterfeit products should be reported to Trading Standards, officials say, who will investigate any counterfeits. Data from the VMD reveals there were 122 seizure notices for the selling of unauthorised animal medicines and supplements in 2024, which prevented 18,000 illegal items from reaching consumers. Caroline Allen, RSPCA Chief Veterinary Officer, said she was 'very concerned about counterfeit vet treatments on sale'. 'We appreciate financial pressures can lead some owners to look for cheaper treatments online but they could be unwittingly putting their beloved pets in serious danger,' she added. The IPO's Deputy Director of Enforcement Helen Barnham, said: 'We are a nation of animal lovers, and criminals dealing in counterfeits are targeting pet owners with complete disregard for the animal's wellbeing. 'We are urging pet owners to be vigilant when purchasing any type of animal treatment, and beware of any offers that 'look too good to be true'.'
The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Urgent government alert as cat poisoned by flea medicine
Insecticide discovered in counterfeit flea treatments trigger vomiting, seizures and potential death. One cat has already required emergency surgery after severe poisoning. Smokey the cat needed life-saving surgery following poisoning by counterfeit flea medicine After purchasing what appeared to be genuine Frontline flea treatment online for his cat, Smokey, Alan Wall from Preston was devastated when Smokey became very unwell. The condition was so severe that Smokey required emergency intestinal surgery to survive. This was followed by a week-long stay at the veterinary surgery and significant bills to support his recovery. 'Smokey is more than just a pet, he's a member of our family," says Alan. "When he became ill after using what we believed was a genuine flea treatment, we were terrified. Watching him suffer, not knowing whether he would pull through, was heartbreaking. (Image: Alan Wall) "It's taken a huge emotional toll on all of us. Without the support of our vets and the extensive surgery they performed we know Smokey wouldn't be with us today. We want to warn other pet owners about these fake products so that no one else has to endure what we've been through." Testing by experts at the University of Bath confirmed Alan's suspicions that the flea treatment was counterfeit and revealed that it contained traces of Pirimiphos-methyl, a potentially lethal insecticide. The sample was also found to be missing (S)-methoprene – one of the two main active ingredients in the genuine medicine. Sue Horseman from Bristol also purchased what appeared to be Frontline flea treatment online for her cat, but quickly became suspicious that the product wasn't genuine. Sue explained that the product was difficult to open and had a distinct smell of white spirit and paraffin, whereas the genuine flea treatment has no smell. When she reported this to Trading Standards, experts confirmed that the treatment was a counterfeit. While the online platform has removed the seller, they had already managed to sell 211 batches of suspected counterfeit pet medicines and supplements, including fake Frontline Flea and Tick Treatment and Pro Plan FortiFlora Probiotic Sachets for dogs and cats. How can pet owners spot the dangerous counterfeit medicines? Warning signs include poor packaging, spelling mistakes, unusual smells and suspiciously low prices. New figures show three quarters of consumers wrongly believe fake goods are of similar quality to genuine products. Pet owners should only buy from trusted sources and immediately report suspicious products. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD) is urging pet owners to take caution when purchasing common medicines, including common flea treatments and wormers. The fake flea medicine (Image: IPO) The alert comes after toxic pesticide traces were found in a fake flea treatment that caused a pet cat to become seriously ill, prompting the owner to have the product tested. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Pirimiphos-methyl, a dangerous insecticide toxic to cats. Officials are urging pet owners to recognise signs of counterfeit products, avoid using suspicious items, and know how to report concerns. Cat and dog owners have been issued an urgent flea warning this summer The surge in counterfeit animal medicine follows a vet warning for fleas this summer. These medicines deliberately copy the appearance, packaging and branding of genuine veterinary products to deceive pet owners. Like all counterfeits, they are illegal to sell in the UK. These fakes typically lack proper active ingredients, making them ineffective. Worse still, they may also contain harmful substances, causing severe reactions including vomiting, muscle tremors, breathing difficulties, seizures and potentially death. How can you treat fleas? The most effective way to control flea infestations is to treat your pet directly all year round with a vet-approved product. Prevention is always better than cure. If you do discover you have a flea problem, it is important to treat both your cat or dog AND your home. But, pet owners seeking bargains, or a quick purchase online may unknowingly purchase these dangerous counterfeits. Nina Downing, Vet Nurse from PDSA, a vet charity and a leading authority on pet health in the UK, says: 'We always recommend that you only give your pet medication which has been prescribed by your vet. When fulfilling a prescription online, source them from reputable companies that are on the Register of online retailers, brought to you by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. If you suspect your pet is reacting badly to any medication, contact your vet immediately." The VMD and IPO are urging owners to check for warning signs including poor packaging, spelling errors, missing information, and unusual smells. Last year alone, the VMD issued 122 seizure notices for the selling of unauthorised animal medicines and supplements, preventing around 18,000 illegal items from reaching consumers. A Veterinary Medicines Directorate Veterinary Surgeon and Efficacy Assessor, Dr Heilin-Anne Leonard-Pugh, explains: 'Pirimiphos-methyl is toxic to cats. Exposure to this insecticide can prevent the cat's body from breaking down a substance called acetylcholine, leading to an overstimulation of the cat's nervous system. This can cause symptoms such as vomiting, uncoordinated gait, muscle tremors, weakness, paralysis, increased sensitivity to touch, difficulty breathing, restlessness, urinary incontinence, low heart rate and seizures. In some cases, even death can sadly occur. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a counterfeit medicine, seek veterinary advice immediately." New IPO research shows that counterfeit goods of all types are frequently purchased via global e-commerce websites. The IPO's Deputy Director of Enforcement Helen Barnham, says: 'We are a nation of animal lovers, and criminals dealing in counterfeits are targeting pet owners with complete disregard for the animal's wellbeing. This can have some distressing consequences, as they may contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to our pets. We are urging pet owners to be vigilant when purchasing any type of animal treatment, and beware of any offers that 'look too good to be true'. 'Counterfeiting is anything but a victimless crime and this latest discovery confirms this. If you suspect that any goods offered for sale may be counterfeit, you should always report this to your local Trading Standards or Crimestoppers Online.' Caroline Allen, RSPCA Chief Veterinary Officer, adds: 'We are very concerned about counterfeit vet treatments on sale which can be highly toxic to pets and we would always urge pet owners to seek professional veterinary advice if they have any health concerns. 'We appreciate financial pressures can lead to some owners to look for cheaper treatments online but they could be unwittingly putting their beloved pets in serious danger by inadvertently buying these counterfeit goods and would urge them to take on board this Government advice.' Recommended reading: How to identify fake animal medicines online Poor quality or damaged packaging. Spelling or grammar errors. Missing leaflets or expiry dates. Instructions not provided in English. Suspicious smell, colour or texture. Poor quality tablets, capsules, vials or pipettes – homemade appearance. Be wary of any retailer selling prescription only products without asking for your prescription. This is illegal. All online sellers of prescription only animal medicines must be registered with the VMD. If in any doubt, you can check retailers on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers. Be cautious of heavily discounted goods and flash sales. Question the price if much cheaper than elsewhere. Whether buying online or in person, always think about the price If you see these goods being offered for sale, whether on a website, social media post or on the high street, contact your local Trading Standards or Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.
The Independent
11 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Officials warn pet owners about toxic chemicals found in fake medicines
Officials have issued an urgent warning to pet owners after toxic insecticides traces were found in a fake flea treatment. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD) said pet owners should take caution when purchasing common medicines to ensure they are not counterfeit. It comes after a fake flea treatment caused Alan Wall's pet cat Smokey to fall seriously ill. Mr Wall, from Preston, had bought what appeared to be genuine Frontline flea treatment online for Smokey. The cat required emergency intestinal surgery followed by a week-long stay at the veterinary clinic, which led to significant bills. Mr Wall said: 'Smokey is more than just a pet, he's a member of our family. 'When he became ill after using what we believed was a genuine flea treatment, we were terrified. 'Watching him suffer, not knowing whether he would pull through, was heartbreaking. It's taken a huge emotional toll on all of us.' Mr Wall later had the product tested in a laboratory by experts at the University of Bath, who confirmed the presence of Pirimiphos-methyl, a dangerous insecticide toxic to cats. The VMD and IPO have now alerted pet owners to be vigilant to the signs of counterfeit products, which are illegal to sell in the UK. Those seeking bargains or a quick purchase online may unknowingly buy fake medicines or treatments. The counterfeits deliberately copy the appearance, packaging and branding of genuine veterinary products but lack proper active ingredients. This means they are ineffective or even harmful to pets, causing severe reactions including vomiting, muscle tremors, breathing difficulties, seizures and potentially death. Officials say owners should check for warning signs including poor packaging, spelling errors, missing information and unusual smells. Last year alone, the VMD issued 122 seizure notices for the selling of unauthorised animal medicines and supplements, preventing around 18,000 illegal items from reaching consumers. Mr Wall said: 'Without the support of our vets and the extensive surgery they performed we know Smokey wouldn't be with us today. 'We want to warn other pet owners about these fake products so that no one else has to endure what we've been through.' Sue Horseman from Bristol also purchased what appeared to be Frontline flea treatment online for her cat, but quickly became suspicious that the product was not genuine because it was difficult to open and smelt of white spirit and paraffin. While the online platform has removed the seller, they had already managed to sell 211 batches of suspected counterfeit pet medicines and supplements, including fake Frontline Flea and Tick Treatment and Pro Plan FortiFlora Probiotic Sachets for dogs and cats. New IPO research shows that counterfeit goods of all types are frequently purchased via global e-commerce websites. The figures also suggest that in 2024, nearly one in five (17%) consumers unknowingly purchased goods later found to be fake, with 60% of purchasers also saying that 'ease of purchasing' influenced their decision and 72% saying price was an important factor in their decision. Helen Barnham, the IPO's deputy director of enforcement, said: 'Counterfeiting is anything but a victimless crime and this latest discovery confirms this. 'If you suspect that any goods offered for sale may be counterfeit, you should always report this to your local Trading Standards or Crimestoppers Online.' Caroline Allen, RSPCA chief veterinary officer, said: 'We are very concerned about counterfeit vet treatments on sale which can be highly toxic to pets and we would always urge pet owners to seek professional veterinary advice if they have any health concerns. 'We appreciate financial pressures can lead to some owners to look for cheaper treatments online but they could be unwittingly putting their beloved pets in serious danger by inadvertently buying these counterfeit goods and would urge them to take on board this Government advice.'
