I believe it is my responsibility to warn pet owners about discounted pet medications, usually purchased from online pharmacies. Several television programs have exposed the distinct illegal actions of discount pharmacies selling counterfeit medications. It is truly terrifying.

As a veterinarian, I feel compelled to get the word out to as many pet owners as I possibly can. I would like to see all veterinarians band together and speak against the unethical and illegal practices of online pharmacies.

Believe it or not, this is not a new problem. Problems with online pharmacies have been occurring for years. More than two years ago, the American Veterinary Medical Association advised all veterinarians the Food and Drug Administration issued an advisory warning to all pet owners.

The FDA has warned “urging pet owners not to buy medicines for animals that are offered at discounted prices online.” The announcement came after the FDA found companies that distribute prescription drugs without requiring prescriptions from veterinarians and that market counterfeit products and unapproved drugs. These online pet drug companies often buy outdated, unapproved and unregulated drugs and repackage them.

The problem is the FDA warnings do not reach the general public and countless pet owners. Since pet owners haven’t personally seen the warnings, they have a tendency to become skeptical whenever their veterinarian introduces them to the subject of unscrupulous businesses operating against the law.

Over the years, I have read articles in veterinary professional publications about the illegal activities of the most well known online pet pharmacies. The articles describe, in depth, the illegal activities of such online pet pharmacies.

On more than one occasion, the online pharmacy was indicted for illegal practices multiple times and forced to pay fines of $500,000. Afterwards, the pharmacy was back to doing business as usual. I just wonder how many times breaking the law does it take for a pharmacy to be shut down. As of today, we don’t know because they continue to fool pet owners into thinking they are saving money. In fact, they may be short-changing their pet’s health and putting their pet’s life at risk.

It certainly seems like extremely large companies have the ability to keep making money from pet owners simply by paying their fines and continuing to break the law. These companies are misleading and deceiving the public with their television commercials.

Pet owners should ask themselves one very important question. Who do you really think has your pet’s best interest at heart, your veterinarian or some conglomerate online pharmacy in another state?

Unlike online pet pharmacies, all of the medications prescribed and dispensed by your veterinarian are FDA approved. Your veterinarian cares about your pet’s health and well-being; online pharmacies don’t even have a doctor-client-patient relationship with you and your pet. A doctor-client-patient relationship is considered by the veterinary medical profession as a minimum standard for providing medication to any pet.

Don’t be fooled by fancy marketing and misleading television advertisements. Contact your veterinarian for all of your pet care needs because your veterinarian cares about your pet and will strive to ensure your pet lives a long, healthy and happy life.

Dr. Jeff Castle is a veterinarian at Clark County Veterinary Clinic.