An animal lover whose cat nearly died from toxic poisoning believes the cause was a flea collar, which contains a Second World War nerve agent.

Adele Ankers bought two of the PetStar products from Poundland in Week Street, Maidstone – one for her cat Lewi and another for Yorkshire terrier Meeko.

But within hours of putting on the £1 collar the 13-year-old moggy started having seizures, while her dog was left with a burned neck.

Now the mum-of-three is warning other pet owners.

The 51-year-old, from East Park Road in Aylesford, said: “Lewi’s head was thrashing, she was frothing at the mouth. Her legs were going and I held her safe.

"When she came round she had wet herself. She had fit after fit throughout the night.

“I wouldn’t wish it on anybody, it was horrible to watch. My animals are everything to me.”

Mrs Ankers called the PDSA and Lewi was admitted as a priority to their Gillingham pet hospital the following morning, where she was kept on a drip for two days.

She was readmitted for a further two days after having another major fit at home the evening she was discharged.

Mrs Ankers was told it was touch and go if Lewi would make it, but fortunately she is now recovering well.

She said: “I’m not after compensation or anything like that. I just don’t want it happening to other people.”

The collars contain dimpylate, also known as diazinon, which was used as a nerve gas in the Second World War.

More than 50 products containing the substance have been banned in France for fears they were harmful to their pets’ owners.

However, Britain’s regulator, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, took the decision not to impose similar action.

The PetStar products warn that they should be removed if the cat or dog becomes drowsy, listless or struggles to breathe.

A Poundland spokesman said: “The product in question is widely available in a number of other retailers, and after speaking to the supplier they are not aware of any current issues with the product.

“We are in contact with the customer and a full investigation is underway so that we can bring this matter to an acceptable conclusion.”