Cat Poisoned In Brymbo

Yesterday we were told of a cat becoming seriously ill and sadly having to be put down in Brymbo due to suspected deliberate poisoning.

Smudge, who was described as “4 years old and a loveable loyal tabby that liked to cuddle on the sofa or the end of the bed” first showed signs of kidney failure, followed by unusual behaviour. Two days later Smudge disappeared and was found to be hiding.

Jo, her owner (or the other way around, as cat owners will know!) , said “She was brought into our house and she couldn’t stand. We tried her with some ham and no interest. Her breathing was laboured and she was cold to touch.
I’m a vet nurse so new that there was something seriously up.”

Initially it was thought that Smudge had been hit by a car, however an increased heart rate plus dehydration indicated signs of poisoning. She was put on a drip overnight, being fed via a tube to try and help.

A vet conducted toxicology tests on blood samples, which showed poisoning with the source being anti freeze.

With nothing possible to be done, Smudge was put to sleep.

The poisoning has been reported to the police, who have told the owners that they will ‘keep an eye on the estate’ and to either contact 101 (Police non emergency line) or the RSPCA – who can be contacted on their cruelty line 0300 1234 999 .

Anti freeze is very sweet tasting to cats, and is well documented as a method of deliberate poisoning. It causes, as in Smudges case, a slow and painful death over a few days.

Anti freeze does as its name, it lowers the freezing point of water based substances. The usual use being in cars, be it for coolant or in window screen wash. Obviously the latter is quite common in winter, and although Brymbo is higher and cooler than our weather station it certainly has not been close to freezing over the last few days and weeks.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 the maximum penalty for anyone found guilty of this offence is up to 6 months imprisonment and/or a fine of £20,000.

If you are aware of similar incidents please get in touch with us via this webform, and as above, we would encourage calling the police on 101 and the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 .