my cat is physically sick for three days

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   seanorjohnposted 12 years ago

   My next door neighbour hates cats and has told me she has put down rat poison in her back garden.She has a vicious dog that she has suggested might attack my cat. My cat has been physically sick three days in a row. I thing it is rare for cats to be sick. Not sure what to do. Obviously I will take her to the vet. But very worried about the future. Neighbour seems to think I can stop my cat from roaming.

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      IzzyMposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good idea to go to the vet, but the symptoms your cat is showing is not typical of rat poison, at least not the rat poison from this neck of the woods. Rat poison usually thins the blood so that any knock or scrape won't clot or coagulate, and rats bleed to death.
      The poison the farmers (illegally) put down here for the foxes results in a fairly quick and ugly death for any dogs who happen to find the poisoned meat.
      None result in just being sick.
      If that's any comfort.
      
      Check with your local planning laws to see if your neighbor is allowed to put rat poison down in her garden when there are cats in the area.
      
      Bad situation you have there.

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         seanorjohnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Izzy, that has reasured me. It could be that I tried them on some new cat food by mistake, usual brand but salmon instead of chicken. I have two cats but just one is sick.

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      couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I would think she'd be concerned about her own dog if she really did put down rat poison.
      
      You probably shouldn't let your cat roam anyway. Cats are notorious for getting into fights with other cats, racoons, and dogs and can easily contract feline aids. Better to walk your cat or keep it in the house.

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         seanorjohnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Good point. But the way they treat the dog concerns me. we have a big field close by and they just walk their dog on a lead. It only goes outside with its lead on and accompanied by the owners. I wanted our cats to be house pets but unfortunately the teenagers we employed to look after our cats when we went on holiday allowed them to roam the area. Big mistake on our part.

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      Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, I'm sorry to hear about what's happening to your cat.  I hope it's nothing serious.  Unfortunately, I'm not an animal expert, so I don't have any advice to offer, but it sounds like Izzy could be onto something with her suggestions.  I hope your cat gets better soon.

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         seanorjohnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Steven , Izzy's comments did reassure me. I just hope my neighbour hasn't put something else down to poison my cats. I am really worried for my cats. I always saw myself as a dog person. I always looked after friends dogs . Then my daughters convinced me to get cats. Now I love them to bits.

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      WildQueenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Dont be so suprized! There are alot of people that hate cats. Your neighbor happens to be one of those people, they could be allurgic either way you should respect your neighbor and keep your cat on your own property.

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   Beth100posted 12 years ago

   Awwweee! 
   
   Rat poison will kill your cat in a few hours if it ingests it and bumps itself to cause bleeding (internal or external).  Like Izzy said, it doesn't sound like rat poisoning.
   
   However, a change in diet can affect them.  The ingredients used in one flavoring might be different than another, even if it is produced by the same manufacturer.  I suggest that you switch back and take your poor feline to the vet. 
   
   As for the neighbor, if they are mistreating their dog (visual abuse), then call your local SPCA. 
   
   I am not familiar with your bylaws in your area (obviously  ) but putting out rat poisoning is not only harmful to animals but even children who are walking about.  Sounds sketchy to me. 
   
   Hope your kitty feels better soon! 

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      seanorjohnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Beth, I now know it is unlikely to be  rat poison. My neighbour was real friendly for 10 years. But when we got cats she went crazy.

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         Beth100posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Its bizarre how your own choice would affect her!!  Considering -- it's YOUR life, household, preference, etc.  Some people are controlling and become vicious when they realize they cannot control what is around them.    Sounds like this is HER problem but is trying to make it yours. 
         
         Go to the vets.  They will be able to run a few tests (probably blood) to see what is ailing your feline. Then, you can get down to the bottom of this. 
         
         They are too cute to be sick!!! >.<

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   Peanutritiousposted 12 years ago

   I am outraged that someone would put rat poison down. What a nasty person she must be. I would keep my cat in. We had a school boy deliberately killing cats with traps in my area. I kept them in. There are so many sick people in this world. I really hope your cat feels better soon. Your cat is lucky it has such a nice owner.

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      seanorjohnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you peanut. I can't believe my next door neighbour is acting like this. We always supported each other. She just really hates cats. We bought a cat scare thing for her. We sprayed the fence to disourage the cats to go over.Now she will not even talk to us. I sometimes hear her screaming at her husband. So maybe she is taking it out on our cats.

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   Nouveau Skepticposted 12 years ago

   If she even said she put out rat poison I would suggest letting the police know.
   
   There are many kinds of rat poison and toxic reactions can be very non-specific.  A vet would be able to help.

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      seanorjohnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I wonder if police would be interested. Thinking about contacting the RSPCA. I know she wants my cats dead.

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         Nouveau Skepticposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Leaving uncovered poisons outdoors is illegal most jurisdictions, even if it is your own property.
         
         Also, God forbid, if you find yourself needing to do something about this later--it doesn't hurt to give a heads up ahead of time.

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            seanorjohnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Thank goodness both my cats back to normal. I found a poor bird that one of my cats must have killed. Perhaps this was the cause. Bells fitted to the cats collars did not give this poor bird enough time to escape. I know which one of my cats is the likely killer.
            The two cats in my avatar are called Annie ( black and white) and Sasha. Which one do  you think is a bird killer?

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   Stevennix2001posted 12 years ago

   She wants your cats dead?  Did she tell you this directly?  If so, then I would have to question her motives for the rat poison then.  Not that I'm suggesting anything, but that sounds highly suspicious if you ask me.

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   Polly Cposted 12 years ago

   I don't think you can put rat poison down like this to get rid of other people's pets - I think it is illegal and she could be prosecuted for doing so, if it is true. Even to actually get rid of rats, does it not have to be put in an area where other animals don't venture - we had to have the council put some down once but it was inside a drain.
   
   In the UK there are cats everywhere, btw, it is rare to keep a cat indoors. No one (or most people) would expect someone else to do this.

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