Fake pet medicine nearly kills cat as officials warn of counterfeit veterinary products

A government team has issued an urgent warning after a counterfeit veterinary product caused a life-threatening reaction in a domestic cat, highlighting a growing problem of fake pet medicines sold online.

A 45-year-old man from Preston, identified only as Alan, bought what he believed to be a familiar flea treatment for his Persian tabby, Smokey. Within hours of applying the product, the normally lively cat began vomiting, refused food and water, and quickly deteriorated. Emergency scans revealed an intestinal blockage and tests later identified a toxic reaction. Surgery saved Smokey’s life, but the procedure cost about £3,000.

Alan had purchased the treatment from a major online marketplace and said the packaging initially appeared genuine. The product label included the word "Gatti," which he thought might be an Italian iteration of the brand. After returning to the vet with the packaging, the manufacturer confirmed the product was counterfeit and laboratory analysis found a chemical highly toxic to cats.

Helen Barnham, who works at the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), said her team has issued more than 100 seizure notices for unauthorised animal medicines and supplements, preventing roughly 18,000 illegal items from reaching consumers. The IPO said one online seller had managed to move 211 batches of suspected counterfeit pet medications and supplements before action was taken.

"Criminals copy these products to make them look like the original and it's all to make money, they don't care about the damage or harm," Barnham said. She urged owners to be vigilant when buying pet medicines online and to check products carefully before use.

Veterinary professionals and regulators point to a range of warning signs that may indicate a product is counterfeit. Packaging that is poor quality, damaged or flimsy; spelling and grammar errors; missing instruction leaflets or expiry dates; instructions not provided in English; pills or pipettes that look homemade or poorly made; an unusual smell, colour or texture; and prices that are significantly lower than usual can all signal a problem. Regulators say product names that are slightly misspelled or altered from the original brand are another common clue.

Nina Downing, a veterinary nurse at charity PDSA, recommended that owners only give medicines that have been prescribed by a veterinarian. When filling an online prescription, she advised sourcing products from reputable companies listed on the Register of online retailers maintained by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

If a pet shows signs of illness after taking a medicine, owners should stop using the product immediately and seek veterinary advice. Authorities also advise reporting suspect products to local trading standards and notifying the brand manufacturer, which may be able to verify authenticity.

The warning comes amid broader cost pressures for pet owners. With veterinary bills reported to be about 60% higher over the last decade, some owners say they feel driven to look online for cheaper options. Regulators caution that apparent bargains can hide dangerous counterfeit medicines and that the short-term savings may lead to serious harm or expensive emergency care.

The IPO said its actions target sellers of unauthorised animal medicines and supplements, and urged consumers to buy from trusted sources and report suspicious items so further illegal products can be intercepted. Manufacturers can sometimes confirm whether packaging and product batches are genuine, and traders can be pursued by enforcement agencies when counterfeits are detected.

Alan said he and his family felt "really guilty" about what happened to Smokey and were angry when they discovered the medicine was fake. The case underscores regulators’ message that vigilance and purchasing from verified retailers are essential to keeping pets safe.