There seems to have been an ongoing spate of poisoning of cats using antifreeze in several parts of the country and these have been widely reported in the press. FAB and the RSPCA have got together to highlight the dangers of antifreeze and also to point out that poisoning cats is illegal. It is quite a thin line to walk - providing information but not sensationalising it in order to avoid giving anyone ideas about using antifreeze against cats. However, Rod Liddle of the Sunday Times blew that apart when he wrote his column on November 1st. He was commenting on a lady who had been prosecuted for feeding the neighbour's cats tuna laced with antifreeze, causing them both to suffer horrible deaths. His comments, perhaps meant to be amusing, seemed to be condoning or even encouraging people to take action against cats. Many people picked up on this and RSPCA along with FAB and BVA Animal Welfare Foundation, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, PDSA, and The Blue Cross, put their name to a letter which was sent to the Sunday Times  FAB's expert panel and the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) also complained and the Press Complaints Commission received many letters as well.

The editor sent an apology to everyone who had written in and although our letter was not printed, it was published online with a link to it from the actual article online.

Please click on the link below for the information which the RSPCA and FAB have collaborated on antifreeze.

Beware antifreeze poisoning

FAB's expert panel along with VPIS have also produced information for vets who may need to treat anti-freeze poisoning in cats. Click on the link below to view. We will be publicising it via the RSPCA campaign so the best treatment is given.

Ethylene glycol toxicity in cats - diagnosis and management for veterinary surgeons