More cat poisonings in Faerie Glen
Yet another cat has been poisoned in Faerie Glen; this time in a neighbouring complex.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES MIGHT UPSET SENSITIVE VIEWERS.
Another cat has been poisoned in Faerie Glen.
The latest poisoning is at the Tipperary Mews complex, right next to Faerieview complex where all the other cats and one dog had been poisoned.
Puma, a black male shorthair cat was poisoned on Sunday 16 August. A veterinary report confirmed the poison used on Puma appeared to be the same as used on the cats in Faerieview.
Puma’s owner, who wished to remain anonymous said the cat’s death was a shock to her.
“I saw him that morning. I fed him his Royal Canin food and he set off. People in the complex and the neighbouring ones knew him and he never caused any trouble.”
One of the residents in Tipperary Mews found Puma lying dead in their garden and phoned his owner.
“The person that is doing this needs to be stopped,” she said.
Amy Blaine, chairperson of the board of trustees at Faerieview said attempts to lodge a complaint with the police have been frustrating.
“At the moment we are waiting on the autopsy results of the latest poisoning before we can open a case with the police.”
Each of the cats had been autopsied by the Faerie Glen animal clinic.
A report by the clinic states: “The stomach content of the cats was found to contain the carbamate pesticide ‘carbofuran’. Carbofuran is a highly toxic pesticide used to protect crops, seeds and seedlings against nematodes and other pests. By the time the crops are harvested the carbofuran has been broken down and if used correctly, the food is then safe for consumption.”
The report adds: “Carbofuran is highly toxic (half a teaspoon is fatal to a human) and is considered a neurotoxin as it inhibits acetyl-choline esterase enzyme. It is mainly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract but minimal absorption can occur through the skin and through inhalation.
“Clinical signs [of exposure] include disorientation, nausea, excessive salivation, mydriatic pupils and eventually death. Carbofuran is also teratogenic and carcinogenic. There is no direct antidote and treatment is aimed at the neurological effects of the poison. Atropine is the treatment of choice, but by itself is also highly dangerous.”
The hospital statement mentioned Carbofuran is a highly controlled substance and is only supposed to be sold to registered farmers. It is a banned substance in Canada, USA and the European Union.
In one of the autopsies, the animal clinic noted: “Accidental poisoning in this manner is highly unlikely and the presence of the blue-green granules is highly suspicious.”
The initial autopsy on Puma revealed what looked like Carbofuran and chicken liver in his intestinal tract, which is in line with the results of all the other poisoned cats.
Also read:
More cats poisoned in Faerie Glen
Progress in Faerie Glen cat poisoning saga
Six cats killed in Faerie Glen
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