Cat and neighbours rat poison...should I do anything?

[WalkingInMemphis]

Genuinely not sure. My neighbour from a few doors down spoke to me this evening as she was going past my house.

She said she thought she'd better tell me that she'd had rat poison put down in her back garden, and she'd seen one of my cats sniffing around the area where it was put down and then a while after was at the bottom of her garden being sick. Said cat was in front of me at the time looking fine and she caught me looking at her and said 'well the exterminator said it takes 4 days...so just for you to know' and off she went.

I've had a thorough look at d cat...she's 100% normal, eating fine and so on. Should I take her to the vets? Would they do anything seeing as she is fine in herself, or even be able to do anything?

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'd ring the vets, ask advice off them. They'll have a nurse there tonight.

[RawCoconutMacaroon]

Your ndn has put rat poison out in the open where non target animals can eat it? Wild birds etc? That appalling - should be in locked boxes or carefully covered.

I don't think cats would eat it tho?

[mausmaus]

cats wouldn't eat the poison but they might eat an animal that had ingested it.

[WalkingInMemphis]

Raw Coconut, I agree. Sounds like someone has just been in her garden sprinkling it around by the sounds of it.

I've googled to see if it was illegal, because it doesn't seem right that someone can just put down poison anywhere they like, but it doesn't seem to be.

I don't think d cat would eat a dead rat/mouse tbh...she's a prolific hunter and I get many gifts from her but she plays with them then leaves them and wanders off...I've never seen her try to eat them.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

I don't think it's illegal but it's pretty bloody thoughtless and irresponsible. We've used it in the past and always tucked it in inside the log pile or put it under something in the garage where only a rodent could reach it.

[bakingtins]

Rodenticides affect blood clotting and cause death by massive internal bleeding. It's one of the very few situations where there is an antidote (vitamin K) If there is any suggestion she's eaten any get her to a vet, they can monitor clotting times and treat if necessary. Look for green or blue coloration (the dye in the pellets) in her poo - I'd keep her in under close observation, but if you have a Sunday surgery I'd get her checked tomorrow even if she seems fine.
My own cat was poisoned, probably by eating a poisoned rodent as he's a hunter. He survived but only thanks to a blood transfusion and intensive care, we didn't get an early warning.
I don't think it's illegal to put poison in the open but it's certainly irresponsible - maybe ask RSPCA for advice, they might send an inspector to have a word?

[bakingtins]

HSE/local authority will prosecute for improper use of rodenticides - more likely to prosecute the 'exterminator' than your neighbour, but certainly farmers have been prosecuted.

[alltoomuchrightnow]

I posted about this recently as it's such a worry and I live in the countryside. For peace of mind I would get her checked out

[Justwhateverreally]

This is outrageous.
Please report her. And take your cat to the vet as soon as you can.
I'd also be sticking up some posters locally to alert other pet owners.

[alltoomuchrightnow]

but a cat or owl could take a dying but not dead mouse/ rat. It would still be moving. I read a lot about this... dead owls :-(