A CAT suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning is just one of the animals that vet David Boersma has treated this month.

And, as a result, he may have helped save the lives of a whole family.

Five-year-old cat Bonnie was brought to him at Goddards Veterinary Surgery, Grove Road, Walthamstow, on November 5.

Owner Tina Camfield of Woodberry Road, Walthamstow, reported that the cat had suffered a fit.

Mr Boersma soon discovered that it wasn't only the cat who was unwell. Mrs Camfield and her husband had been enduring headaches, a sick feeling and a general sense of being unwell for some time.

His diagnosis was rapid carbon monoxide poisoning and he advised the cat's owner and her family to take themselves to hospital.

Mrs Camfield had a shock when she returned home,

She told the Guardian: "My husband had collapsed, so I opened up all the windows and the doors and went out to the garden."

An ambulance was called and the entire family, including the children, were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning at Whipps Cross Hospital's hyberbaric unit.

Bonnie made a full recovery.

Mr Boersma, who is originally from Perth, Australia, has been working at Goddards for ten years.

Of late, he has been using homoeopathy in the treatments he offers.

He decided to use homoeopathic remedies after he discovered that certain vaccines did not work well with some of the animals he has treated.

He said: "I still use conventional medicine, but the homoeopathy treatment has proved successful in many cases. It can be trial and error, however."

Mr Boersma has treated many animals with homoeopathic remedies, including a Burmese mountain dog which suffered from irritable bowel syndrome, and a cocker spaniel with behavioural problems.

Treating the animals correctly requires help from the owners, said Mr Boersma. "People know their pets, and watching their behaviour and following advice makes a difference to their recovery."