Vets warn against counterfeit pet supplements, medication

It has been five years since the authorities embarked on a review of the pet sector in Singapore, and the pet business is bigger than ever. The third part of a series looking at breeding, ethics, medical treatments and costs in the industry examines how fake medication and treatments are flooding online platforms. Ian Cheng looks at the issue.

With the cost of medicine and treatment in the pet sector rising, some pet owners have sought to keep a lid on expenses by turning to alternative sources online, instead of purchasing these items from clinics.

The goods include over-the-counter medication such as anti-flea and mite solution Revolution, supplements such as those for skin and joint issues, and prescription diets such as those for weight management.

Checks on local e-commerce platforms such as Shopee and Lazada show that such products are being sold for significantly less than their retail prices at pet shops and vet clinics. For example, a pack of three of Revolution for cats can be found on Shopee for as low as $28, while the same product costs between $38 and $42 in pet stores here, and between $56 and $74 at veterinary clinics.

Thousands of these products have been sold according to listings, with many receiving positive reviews.

Despite possessing official-looking packaging, batch numbers and hologram stickers, some of these products turned out to be fake.

Arina's pet rabbit was diagnosed with scabies on its paws in mid-August 2023.

Scabies is caused by mites burrowing into skin, resulting in symptoms including intense itching as well as the formation of crusts and scabs. In severe cases, scabies can cause animals to stop eating, leading to weakness and, eventually, death.

After the diagnosis, Arina, who declined to reveal her full name, was told to administer Revolution to her rabbit.

Having bought the product from a seller on an e-commerce platform prior to the diagnosis, Arina decided to use it instead of the one sold at the clinic.

Arina told The Straits Times that it was $15 to $20 cheaper than the one sold at the vet.

However, her rabbit's condition did not improve. Instead, it worsened, with the scabies spreading to all four of its paws. It became lethargic and did not move much because of the pain.