Flea Treatments in the News: Counterfeit Meds, River Pollution, and Keeping Your Pets Safe
There’s been a fair bit in the news lately regarding flea and tick treatments. As your local independent vet practice, we want to make sure you’ve got all the facts to keep your furry friends safe and sound.
Everyone wants the absolute best for their pets—and so do we! Here is what you need to know about the two major talking points circulating this week.
1. Watch out for dodgy fakes online ⚠️
A rather worrying report in The Guardian has highlighted a sharp rise in dangerous, counterfeit flea treatments being sold by unscrupulous online sellers.
These fake medicines look like the real deal but can make pets properly poorly. Please do take extra care out there and ensure you’re only ordering treatments from reputable, trusted retailers, or directly from us here at the surgery.
If a deal online looks too good to be true, it unfortunately usually is.
2. Protecting our lovely Scottish waterways 🌍💧
At the same time, the UK Government has launched their "Be Spot On Aware" campaign. This initiative highlights how traditional liquid spot-on treatments (which often contain chemicals like fipronil) can accidentally wash off a pet's skin.
Whether they go for a splash in the river or simply get caught in the rain, these chemicals can end up polluting our local rivers and harming precious aquatic wildlife.
If you do prefer using spot-on products, the government has put together some brilliant, straightforward advice on how to use them responsibly so we don't accidentally harm the environment.
Find out more:
You can read their official guide and check their top safety tips here: 👉 Official Government Be Spot On Aware Campaign
Why we do things a bit differently... 🌿
You might have noticed that our first-line choice for flea and tick protection here at the practice is systemic chewable tablets . One of the main reasons we opt for these over traditional liquid spot-ons is environmental.
Because the treatment works from the inside, there’s absolutely no risk of it washing off into streams, lakes, or down the plughole at bath time. It keeps the protection exactly where it’s needed, whilst keeping our local ecosystems safe and thriving.
We’re always here to help 🐶🐱❤️
We’re always on hand to help you navigate what’s best for your four-legged family members. If you ever want to double-check a product you’ve bought online, or fancy a chat about switching your pet over to oral preventative care, please just give us a ring or pop into the surgery.