A PAIR of Oxenholme neighbours are calling for greater vigilance after both of their cats died as a result of antifreeze poisoning.

Both Lisa Parkin and Steven Troughton's cats had to be put down at Highgate Vets in Kendal after coming into contact with the solution.

"I noticed Sammy [the cat] was not very well so I took him straight to the vets," said Ms Parkin. "It turned out it was antifreeze poisoning so they hooked him up to a drop of vodka."

Unfortunately, the family received a phone call on the birthday of three-year-old daughter Megan's birthday to say the cat had to be put down.

"Sammy was always outside so he could have got it from anywhere," Ms Parkin said. "We think it's accidental but it is getting suspicious the fact that another cat had it happen on the lane."

Signs of antifreeze poisoning can be seen anything from 30 minutes after a cat has ingested the chemical and include lethargy, vomiting and the cat appears to be wobbly or 'drunk'.

Cats affected can start to have fits, kidney failure and fall into a coma.

Clinical director at Highgate Vets Liz Dodd said that antifreeze was the most common poisoning the vets saw in cats and it was difficult to prevent them coming into contact with the substance.

"The most usual source is from car coolants, screen wash and antifreeze, so educating people is the best way to protect our pets," she said. "Spills should be cleaned up by washing the area with lots of water, preferably hosing the area down and sweeping the water away so it doesn’t collect into puddles.

"Obviously any stock bottles should be kept well out of the way in sealed containers."

Ms Parkin's next door neighbour, Steven Troughton, whose cat Demi often played with Sammy, also lost his cat to antifreeze poisoning.

"I want to believe that it wasn't somebody poisoning them intentionally," he said. "Either it was somebody who has sprayed their windows if they've been frozen over and the cats have walked over it or their car radiator is leaking.

"I just want people to be more careful with what they're using and check underneath their cars and if they do spill something to put something down," he said. "That way animals don't get hurt again because I don't want another family going through what we've gone through."

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: "It is always difficult to determine if cases are accidental incidents or deliberate, however poisoning an animal deliberately is a criminal offence. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the maximum penalty for those found guilty of this offence is up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £20,000."

Mr Troughton added that it was not just the emotional strain of losing a pet that had been difficult.

"You lose the cat but you also have to take them to the vets and you get a hefty bill afterwards," he said. "Disadvantaged families can't afford to do stuff like this. They're left with the loss of a family pet plus a hole in their wallet."