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Addict's cat goes cold turkey
4/27/01
London - Aitch, the pet cat of a convicted drug addict, is himself addicted to heroin and shows all the typical withdrawal symptoms - glazed eyes, shaking and extreme psychological distress - according to an animal welfare organisation in the English town of Doncaster.
"You cannot believe that people would do such a thing to animals. Aitch was literally showing all the signs of drug abuse," Betty Foster of the charity Cats Protection told Friday's Daily Mail.
An examination revealed sores which appeared to indicate that Aitch had received injections from his owner, an addict currently serving a jail sentence.
"Aitch was in a terrible state. He was in very poor condition. His coat was matted and he had a five-centimetre scab at the base of his tail, which is where the drug could have been injected, as well as puncture marks on his body," voluntary worker Jill Shaw said.
"He was totally spaced out for a fortnight and kept hiding behind his litter box. He was shaking violently and trembling, and ate and drank copiously," she said describing symptoms typical of cold turkey withdrawal.
Aitch, who is now seeking adoption, could not tolerate direct eye contact and is still afraid of strangers and loud noises, but now responds to being fussed over.
"All he wants is a lap to sit on. A hand to stroke him and someone to love him. If he s given lots of love it will be returned tenfold," Shaw told the Mail. - Sapa-DPA
4/27/01
London - Aitch, the pet cat of a convicted drug addict, is himself addicted to heroin and shows all the typical withdrawal symptoms - glazed eyes, shaking and extreme psychological distress - according to an animal welfare organisation in the English town of Doncaster.
"You cannot believe that people would do such a thing to animals. Aitch was literally showing all the signs of drug abuse," Betty Foster of the charity Cats Protection told Friday's Daily Mail.
An examination revealed sores which appeared to indicate that Aitch had received injections from his owner, an addict currently serving a jail sentence.
"Aitch was in a terrible state. He was in very poor condition. His coat was matted and he had a five-centimetre scab at the base of his tail, which is where the drug could have been injected, as well as puncture marks on his body," voluntary worker Jill Shaw said.
"He was totally spaced out for a fortnight and kept hiding behind his litter box. He was shaking violently and trembling, and ate and drank copiously," she said describing symptoms typical of cold turkey withdrawal.
Aitch, who is now seeking adoption, could not tolerate direct eye contact and is still afraid of strangers and loud noises, but now responds to being fussed over.
"All he wants is a lap to sit on. A hand to stroke him and someone to love him. If he s given lots of love it will be returned tenfold," Shaw told the Mail. - Sapa-DPA