Update:

I see that people are arriving at my blog via Google while searching terms like “how can I tell my frontline is genuine?” I obtained my information directly from a vet tech at Merial, and it is up-to-date as well as 100% correct.  Please check the pictures.  If you even suspect you have counterfeit product, you should call your local law enforcement and let them know.

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Every spring, my dog is attacked by blood sucking parasites that spread disease and cause skin infections.  Typically I visit the vet to pick up Frontline, the past few weeks have been a bit difficult, I intend to blog about the ear incident later on.  Long story short, Wilhelmina’s ear got sliced open by Airabella and we couldn’t get the bleeding to stop.  Willy’s vet visit and cost of bandages totaled over $400.  After about 5 days, the scab on her ear was hard enough that it didn’t bleed every time she shook her head.  ugh.  Anyway, we failed to pick up heartworm control and frontline in all our stressful agony.  The fleas are back in full force, mosquitoes as well but I’m not too concerned yet as my dogs are never outside except for potty breaks.  (yes I know, I’m getting the heartworm tests and meds soon, I’m not a complete idiot, just broke due to previous vet expenses.)

Anyway, I stopped into Big R in Crawfordsville, IN and was delighted to see that they sell Frontline Plus!  The employee told me that you no longer needed to buy it from the vet and that it was available in stores.  The price on the frontline was a little cheaper than the vet sells it for (by maybe a dollar or so.)  I was pretty excited until I got home. 

A friend of mine said that she had been looking up some information online about Frontline and discovered that it was “illegal” to be sold in stores, and that I could check the Frontline website’s FAQ to confirm.   I found this:

17. Why are FRONTLINE Brand Products only available through my veterinarian?
It is Merial’s sales policy to sell our small animal products only where a veterinarian/client/patient relationship exists. Merial believes that the veterinarian is the only professional qualified to serve the health care needs of pets, the concerns of their owners and the appropriate use of our small animal products such as FRONTLINE Brand Products.

I was concerned, so I called the 1-800 number on the box, which looked exactly like the box I’d had before, no differences at all that I could remember.  I spoke with a vet tech on their help line who ran through a list of “give aways” which would indicate we purchased counterfeit product (because apparently this is an issue.)  The box I purchased at Big R contained all the proper identifying markers: the good housekeeping seal, the Merial “Satisfaction Guaranteed” seal, no expiration dates anywhere on box or applicators, The Deluth, GA address was listed as the address for Merial, and the product was listed as “Made in France.”  I opened the box to confirm that the applicators had white foil backing printed with the Frontline Plus logo as well as the Merial logo.  A lot number is also printed on the bottom, and the applicators are the proper shape.  So, my product was genuine and safe to use.

Genuine Frontline

Genuine Frontline Box - Back side (note address and seals)

Inside of the Frontline Box (Genuine product)

Genuine Frontline Applicators

Frontline Insert with barcode

Monthly reminder stickers - Frontline

The vet tech said that the company is aware some stores are selling legit product, but not aware of how they are purchasing it as Merial sells only to vets who have a patient relationship (meaning if you need to call the vet and be seen in an emergency you can do it.)  She also said that there are also some online places who are selling products manufactured outside of the US, and while this product IS approved to use in that country, it is not approved for sale in the US.  I know that this doesn’t always mean that the product is safe or unsafe, just that the FDA/EPA have not approved of it’s use here. (but other countries have no issue with it.)  This means that if you were a pet-owner in Australia…you’d be giving your dog the medication approved in Australia but no the US.  This confuses a lot of people as they think these products are dangerous, but it’s my opinion that’s mostly hype.  I was assured that my product was the genuine US approved product, thus safe for my dogs to use and is guaranteed by Merial.

I want to add a personal note to this, while the product I bought at the store is safe for my dogs, I only bought it because I am familiar with the product having used it before.  I know that my dogs do not react to this medication poorly, and know how to use it properly because I have previously spoken with my vet about it.  I do not recomend you go out and try to find legit product at stores if you have never before used Frontline, there are things that must be discussed with your vet when it comes to pestacides.  I agree with Merial that vets are the only persons qualified to have this discussion with you about their product, so I’ll not delve into the pros and cons of Frontline.  I’m not posting this blog to encourage you to go out and buy the product in stores if you find it, I just wanted to share my experience and hopefully, somebody will find this doing a google search and discover they have a box of counterfit Frontline before it’s too late.  I wouldn’t want to see anybody injure their dog out of ignorance.