Latest news with #fleaTreatment
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 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.'
