Macclesfield Express

Heartbreak after two cats poisoned

- RHIANNON MCDOWALL

AGRAN whose two cats died after drinking antifreeze has shared a heartbreak­ing photo of the moment she cradled her dying pet.

Jacqueline Latham’s cats Billy and Hope died with 12 hours of each other.

Billy, six, was taken to Wright Morten Vets after he began fitting in the middle of the night, and Hope, who had unusually stayed out all night, was brought home by a neighbour who had found her in his garden unable to walk.

She was rushed to Bond Street vets but sadly had to be euthanased.

Jacqueline, 52, of Eaton Drive, on the Moss, said tests at the vets revealed they had their blood.

She said: “I’m heartbroke­n. It’s affected my children and my grandchild­ren, we have all lost something we love.

“I have no idea where they got it. I don’t know if it was deliberate, I don’t know why anyone would do it, but my neighbour pointed out that nobody antifreeze in them out. And there are all the other cats on the estate. The important thing to remember is if your cat is sick or starts fitting, you need to get them to the vet as soon as possible.”

Jacqueline, who has four children and two grandchild­ren, is urging residents to ensure any antifreeze spillages are cleaned up.

A spokespers­on from the RSPCA said: “We are concerned to hear that cats have died from suspected antifreeze poisonings in the Eaton Road area of Macclesfie­ld.

“We advise cat owners in the area to keep an eye on their pets’ wellbeing and if they are showing symptoms of poisoning, get them treatment immediatel­y.

“Signs of poisoning can be seen anything from 30 minutes after a cat has ingested the chemical, though it can be two or three days before signs of kidney failure are seen.

“The signs of poisoning can include vomiting, seeming depressed or sleepy, appearing drunk and uncoordina­ted, seizures, and difficulty breathing.

“If you suspect that your cat has been poisoned you should take it to a vet immediatel­y. We’d also like to remind people to check where they keep their pesticides and chemicals, including antifreeze, and make sure it is secure and out of the way of cats.”

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said officers are aware of reports being made around cats dying from antifreeze.

Anyone who may have any informatio­n is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101.

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 ??  ?? Jacqueline Latham with Billy
Jacqueline Latham with Billy

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