All prescription medication is to be picked up in person from the clinic, so why should it be any different when it comes to your pets?

The Moose Jaw Animal Clinic is warning pet owners about the dangers of giving their pets medication which wasn't prescribed to them or that was purchased online.

Not only is it very unsafe to the animal, but it is also illegal.

Annette Lorenz, a registered veterinary technologist, explains just some of the dangers of giving your pet a medication that wasn't prescribed.

"You can run into all sorts trouble in the sense that the dosing can be wrong, you could be giving the wrong drug for the wrong condition. Instead of helping your animal, you're making your animal even sicker or causing kidney damage or liver damage."

If you have left over medication for your animal, never give it to a different animal. Lorenz explains what can be done with extra medication.

"Feel free to bring it back to the your veterinarian. It is illegal for us to issue you a refund or anything like that, but we would be happy to dispose of it properly for you."

The Moose Jaw Animal Clinic is spreading awareness on the issue after staff noticed various posts online of people trying to sell their pets' medications.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local veterinarian.