Don’t buy pet medication online, experts say talk to your vet instead

SALT LAKE CITY — The FDA is warning pet owners of the dangers of unapproved and unprescribed medications bought from online retailers. One pet health expert said owners should only give their animals medications prescribed by their veterinarians.

Veterinary Technician at Wasatch Hollow Animal Hospital, Brittany Young, said with the mysterious respiratory dog illness going around, it’s not surprising owners are looking at alternatives.

“We all did it when we first heard about COVID. We all wanted to make sure we kept our kids safe, things like that. So people are doing the same with their dogs too.”

More people are turning to supplements and medicine as the mysterious illness continues spreading.

Young said it’s common for pet owners to look online for what they think is a cheaper medicine.

“A lot of people are seeing these symptoms in their pets, and assuming that they know the cause. And then reaching out for this medication that they’ve used before or they think will fix it and those suppliers are allowing [them] to purchase them.”

She recommends never giving a pet medicine or supplements unless prescribed or approved by a veterinarian.

“People are a lot more aware of what a mass illness can do… It is scaring some owners to try to find alternative methods for keeping their pets safe.”

Regardless of concerns, looking to online retailers for supplements or drugs can be much worse for pets.

Unapproved or misbranded drugs can kill or make pets sick, especially because they’re not regulated or prescribed.

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