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’.”