A word of caution about Internet pharmacies.

Television, mail order, and Internet offers are promoting pet medications at reduced costs. While we have no problem prescribing medications from reputable sources, we do have concerns regarding these companies and the health of your pet.

The major veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors do not sell to these advertisers. Instead, they rely on secondary sources to obtain inventory to sell to pet owners. These sources are either foreign or veterinarians who have breached their ethics and are purchasing and selling to these companies. Many of the drugs sold are regulated prescription-only medications and are not safely administered without a veterinarian's care, pre-testing, and follow up testing to determine levels of toxicity and organ function.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency recently uncovered that some of these companies are distributing counterfeit medications. Some of these medications are clearly labeled for foreign production. While we assume that the manufacturer is not shortcutting on production of foreign prescription drugs, we also know that other countries have different standards for production, manufacturing, and clearance for distribution.

Commercials, pet supply catalogs and Internet pharmacies that promise a "deal" on pet prescriptions may be misleading. If you purchase prescriptions through such pharmacies, please be aware of the risks:

• The drug manufacturer may not guarantee the medications.

• Some medications may be foreign drugs that may not have the same quality and purity assurance as the United States does. It is generally illegal to dispense foreign drugs in the US, including foreign versions of the US products.

• Some medications may be imitations of approved drugs.

• Some medications may be outdated or repackaged.

• Selling prescriptions directly to consumers without a veterinarian-client-patient relationship may pose health risks to patients.