posted on November 1, 2010 02:56:53 PM
FYI, we purchased some Frontline Plus online (not eBay). When we opened the box we noticed that the Lot Number on the box and the Lot Numbers on the vials did not match.
We contacted Murial who makes this product and they believe it is likely counterfeit. We were surprised to learn that Frontline Plus is only sold to Vet clinics, not online sources. Odd considering that you can purchase it through PetMeds.com and other sources. I have also seen it for sale at our local pet store, including individual vials. I wonder where they purchase it from before they resell it.
I contacted the company we purchased it from and have not received any responses. Murial requested that we ship this to them and they will replace the product with their product. Nice to know they take this quite seriously.
[ edited by shagmidmod on Nov 1, 2010 02:57 PM ]
posted on November 2, 2010 04:38:57 PM
I was buying Frontline last year from our vet
and having no results for the cat, the cat had fleas and I was spraying like crazy around the carpet etc not wanting them in the house again.
I switched to Revolution this past year and am having no problems with fleas.
Thanks for the heads up I will check packages from now on for lot numbers etc.The girl at the pet store kind of tipped me off that Frontline was having some problems last fall
like this too.
posted on November 2, 2010 05:44:41 PM
The Vets don't want to admit it but the fleas are (have) becoming immune to Frontline. That's why they have come out with the pill and they are pushing that. They have build up a tolerance to whatever is in Frontline. They will still sell it to you and they won't tell you but I'm sure if you will ask them out right they will tell you. My daughter works for a Vet and she told me.
I just use the dip from Walmart sometimes for a while in between. I don't like Advantage because it washes off. The pill doesn't offer anything for ticks which I need here in Florida.
posted on November 2, 2010 11:21:30 PM new
Advantage and Advantix are both waterproof 3 days after application, and the dog must be DRY when it's applied--freshly dried dogs are still damp, so don't apply it immediately after a bath as the dog isn't as dry as you think he is. Give it a couple hours.
Advantage is probably the more widely used product for show dogs--and they're washed at least weekly, sometimes daily.
The trick is to treat the animal, house and YARD at the same time. Most people don't do the yard, or wait a couple days after Fluffy's bath to fog the house. As inconvenient as it may be, it's all gotta be done at the same time.
And real Frontline IS available through online retailers, despite what Merial says. PetEdge, Petmeds, Petco, PetSmart, Foster & Smith all sell it--granted, Foster & Smith is owned by vets, and the others may have a vet on staff as "advisor" and thus qualify as a "clinic", but you're buying the real stuff. If you weren't Merial would be suing them left and right.
posted on November 3, 2010 10:33:47 PM new
that is pretty much what i thought too about online retailers. it also makes me wonder how many pet stores buy from places like this to resell.
i emailed the company about the lot numbers and asked them what this was about. two days later I got this response:
"if you are not satisfied, please return it for a refund."
that is all they said. no response regarding the different lot numbers. pretty much sums it up.
posted on November 4, 2010 10:06:55 AM new
"if you are not satisfied, please return it for a refund."
That actually sounds very similiar to what many here (myself included)use as a standard reply to unhappy customers. Even if there is a reasonable explanation (not saying that there is here) - going into it just drags out the process and basically takes time away from time that could be spent doing more productive things.
posted on November 4, 2010 01:19:09 PM new
My vet told me a secret about Advantage:
Advantage for Dogs is exactly the same liquid as Advantage for Cats, just higher dosage.
Since the dog version is the same price as the cat version, she will put the contents of the individual vials in a bottle for you so you can draw out the correct cat dosage with a syringe.
posted on November 4, 2010 03:47:26 PM new
When I told them I called the manufacturer who confirmed it was counterfeit and was reporting it to the FBI I got this response:
"While you are at it, let me give you the number 911."
posted on November 4, 2010 07:18:09 PM new
Depending on prevailing exchange rates, Advantage, Advantix and Frontline are all usually cheaper from Pet Supplies Online in Australia.
http://www.psol.com.au/int/Fleas.html
It's the same stuff, shipping isn't unreasonable, and I've received my order in as little as 3 days (ordered Sunday night in the US, in my Los Angeles-area mailbox Wednesday. I was astounded.) If your bank/credit card company charges a currency conversion fee, buying ONE box probably doesn't save you much, but if you need multiple boxes (or go in with a couple friends), and the exchange rate is favorable, you can save nearly 50% off the usual US prices.
posted on November 4, 2010 08:02:36 PM new
actually, it was www.thevetmarket.com.
i filed a dispute and claim with paypal where i paid for the item. paypal closed the claim immediately. get this... in the sellers favor. why? because paypal will only review a claim if it was for "item not received".
PP made no reference to their new policies regarding INAD that were supposed to be effective November 1. I purchased these before then.
I highly recommend using a Credit Card that offers protections for ANY online purchases in the future. Paypal obviously won't do anything about it.
