I think that you should be very cautious about buying drugs for cats and dogs or other pets on eBay. What got me thinking about this was a recent announcement on the UK government website about a Border Force seizure of 20 packets of worming tablets in Belfast. Belfast is in Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland is part of the UK.
The drug was imported from Bulgaria and destined for a residential address in County Tyrone. What was going to happen to these Biheldon tablets (deworming pills)? They were intended to treat cats and dogs but the product is not authorised for use in Great Britain or Northern Ireland and these particular drugs were not accompanied by any relevant certification to permit importation. They were confiscated under Regulation 25 (Importation of unauthorised veterinary medicinal products) of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013.
“The following product was detained and subsequently seized by an inspector from DAERA: 20 x packets of 30 tablets (total 600 tablets) of Biheldon Tablets. This medicine was intended for use in dogs and cats. The product is not authorised for use in GB or NI and was not accompanied by any relevant certification to permit importation.”
UK government website.
The story made me wonder how many other types of pet drug are being illicitly imported into the UK from Eastern Europe or any other place internationally? We know that a lot of puppies and/or cats were imported into the UK from Eastern Europe during Covid-19. These were badly bred puppies. They were ill and wildly overpriced.
The drugs mentioned are the kind of products that might end up on eBay. I understand that pet owners want to keep their costs down. They might believe that vet clinics charge premium prices for prescription drugs. Or overcharge for over-the-counter type drugs.
Cat and dog owners want to save money because the cost of looking after a pet nowadays in the UK can be quite heavy one way and another with veterinary charges generally increasing quite substantially recently.
The general advice about going on eBay to buy pet medications is to exercise caution. On eBay website there are some licensed suppliers of pet drugs such as Pet Drugs Online Ltd., a company run by UK-based veterinary surgeons.
However, not all sellers may be reputable and some may offer counterfeit or substandard products. They may be unlicensed products as mentioned above.
The further advice is to check the seller’s feedback and ratings and/or ask questions before making a purchase on eBay of these sorts of products. I’m not going to lecture because I have no right to but when it comes to medications for a companion cat or dog you can’t be careful enough. There are many instances of cats and dogs being harmed by owners being less than careful about checking the medication that they give their companion animals or purchasing them through illicit channels.
Deworming pills are available on eBay. As our eye cleaners, eye lubricants, probiotics, kidney support products, urinary health products, hypoallergenic diet products, diabetes management products and skin and coat supplements.
Before purchasing any medication it is probably wise to consult a veterinarian. That’s the conventional advice. At least be very very cautious and do your research. But a veterinarian can recommend the appropriate treatment and dosage for your pet’s specific needs. And of course some medications require a prescription, so your ved’s guidance is essential.
Your pet’s health is crucial obviously so always prioritise safety and consult a professional when considering any medications. It is common sense I guess but I can understand if pet owners diverged from these rules but it comes back to caution and slowing down a bit to make sure that what you do is the right thing.
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