Warning after cat is poisoned

Pet owners are being urged to be vigilant after a suspected cat poisoning in Crieff.

Joey, an older black and white cat who is well-known in the area, came home late last Saturday and was violently sick before collapsing.

One of the ladies who looks after him, but who did not want to be named in case Joey was deliberately poisoned, nursed him through the early hours.

She said: “He’s my neighbour’s cat but stays here most of the time.

“I was aware of him coming in and throwing up. I switched the light on and found him comatose on the floor.

“I was checking him for a pulse - his eyes were half closed with the third eyelid across, which is a sign of a major problem. I’ve worked with animals enough over my life to know the difference between poison and an upset stomach.

“It was very serious.

“I knew that it was out of his system and he was on the mend so didn’t report it to the vet but it was six hours before he was moving again.

“Everybody knows Joey – he’s the Kincardine Cat – he’s black and white and looks like Felix.”

The lady is concerned Joey was poisoned after inspecting the contents purged from his stomach, and hopes that if anyone is putting down slug pellets disguised in food, they will think twice about the effect this could have on other animals taking the bait.

She continued: “It was tuna, bacon fat and finely chopped meat so it wasn’t something that had just been left lying around.

“It hadn’t had a chance to be digested – it must have just hit his stomach and the poison had reacted, and I will say poison.

“The only other thing I can think of would be slug pellets because cats react to that. My neighbour’s cat had been violently sick as well.

“And speaking to other people it also seems other cats in the area are missing. So there is something going on.

“I’m not saying it is someone doing it deliberately – it could be someone putting slug pellets out mixed up in tuna and bacon fat, but the next cat may not be so lucky.

“I am also concerned for hedgehogs in the area.”

The Scottish SPCA is urging anyone who suspects poison is being put down to report it.

The animal charity’s chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “The use of any poison in an open space is illegal and any domestic or wild animal could ingest it. We would like to remind people to dispose of any potentially toxic substance, such as antifreeze, responsibly.

“If anyone believes that toxic substances are being deliberately used against animals then we would urge them to contact our helpline on 03000 999 999.”