Cat owners warned over spate of poisonings by antifreeze which left pets unable to move and having to be put to sleep

The RSPCA has warned cat owners about antifreeze poisonings which have left a number of pets unable to move and needing to be put down.

A spree of poisonings is being investigated in South Wales by the animal charity, but it is not yet known whether the cats are being harmed deliberately or by accident.

According to the RSPCA, most people are unaware of the danger posed to pets by antifreeze – which just a small dose of can cause kidney failure and death.

Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire has been plagued by a recent spate of cat poisonings including Ben McQueen’s three-year-old Luna being brought back to its owner unable to move.

He said it was ‘as if she was drunk’ as Luna struggled to even eat.

When Mr McQueen took the cat for treatment, vets recommended she be put down after blood tests indicated she had been poisoned, with Luna’s condition deteriorating further throughout.

‘We were all just devastated. It has been a massive toll financially and emotionally,’ Mr McQueen said, adding that he hopes this does not happen to others in his area.

However, he revealed that at least two other cats near him have been poisoned recently, with at least one suspected to be antifreeze related.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Andrew Harris has been investigating the incidents and urged pet owners to learn the signs of poisoning.

The charity has also launched an appeal for information around the South Wales cases and asked non-pet owners to be considerate when using and storing hazardous substances, and – regarding antifreeze – any leaks are cleared up promptly.

Cats are especially susceptible to antifreeze poisoning and symptoms can show as soon as 30 minutes after consumption.

Signs to look out for according to the RSPCA are: Vomiting, seeming depressed or sleepy, appearing drunk and uncoordinated, seizures or fits and difficulty breathing.