A cat that was tortured with fireworks has been nursed back to health.

Gill Schweizer, from Woodchurch, used her skills in zoopharmacognosy to treat Pepper after the Cats Protection charity took charge.

Pepper went missing on November 5 and was found days later in a traumatised state, the result of having a firework tied to its tail.

For Gill Schweizer it was a chance to put her skills to good use.

She explained: “Zoopharmacognosy is not something that you hear a lot about. It used to be called animal aromatics but it is more serious than that would suggest.”

According to Gill, animals instinctively seek out naturally-occurring curatives, namely certain plants to either chew, roll in or inhale.

It is the oil produced within the “little medical stores” within these plants that can, according to Gill, treat a variety of complaints.

Gill added: “Animals were self-medicating long before man could stand upright.”

In Pepper’s case, severe trauma caused him to shy away, making it difficult for Gill to determine what he needed in the way of help.

“I couldn’t get at him - I was lying flat between a scratch post and a litter tray trying to judge his eyes.”

In the end, Pepper was exposed to frankincense, violet leaves and rose, which treats resentment and anger.

Gill trained with Bath-based expert Caroline Ingraham - currently in Thailand working at an elephant sanctuary - and has worked with dogs and horses.

Gill can be contacted on 01233 861443.