RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information following a suspected cat poisoning in Blackwood.

Abel the white-and-grey tabby cat returned to his Penywelod Road home in Markham on Sunday September 18 but by the next day his owner noticed strange behaviour.

After the cat started dragging his back leg and being sick, owner Charlotte Postians took him straight to the vet where blood tests were carried out.

“I didn’t know what was happening,” she said. “The vet said he was a healthy cat but his blood showed signs of poisoning.”

Abel, who is only a year-old, was put on a drip but when his condition deteriorated owner Charlotte made the decision that the kindest thing was to put him to sleep.

“He was extremely unwell but he knew I was there [...] He lifted up his head and went back to sleep,” she said.

“I posted what happened on Facebook and a few people have contacted me saying the same thing has happened to their cats in the area.

“It is a horrible way to die. He died of kidney failure. I’m so angry and upset.”

RSPCA inspector Izzi Hignell said: “Our thoughts are with Abel’s owner who is devastated to have lost her cat in this way.

“We don’t know whether this was accidental or deliberate or who may have done it. We are appealing for information to try and find out what happened.

“We’re also calling on all cat owners in the Blackwood area to be vigilant and to take their cat to a vets straight away if they suspect they have been poisoned.”

Potential signs of poisoning could include vomiting, seeming depressed/sleepy, appearing drunk and uncoordinated, seizures, difficulty breathing, increased thirst, increased urination.

Under the Animal Welfare Act (2006), the maximum penalty for those found guilty of cat poisoning is up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £20,000.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA Inspectorate information line on 0300 123 8018.