A veterinary clinic is warning cat owners in Powys to check whether their feline friends are vaccinated, after a confirmed positive case of a deadly disease in the area.

Ddole Road Veterinary Clinic, in Llandrindod Wells, reported this week that a case of feline panleukopenia had been confirmed in the Builth Wells area.

And it has warned pet owners to be vigilant, as the current strain in circulation has been known to have a high mortality rate.

“Warning. We have had a positive case of feline panleukopenia from the Builth Wells area,” the vets, based on the spa town’s Ddole Road Enterprise Park, said in a Facebook post on Monday.

“We would advise any cat owners in the area to ensure that their cats are up to date on their vaccinations.

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“The current strain in circulation has had a high mortality rate with a rapid onset of clinical signs, so please be vigilant. Please call your local vets for any further advice.”

Feline infectious enteritis (FIE) is a disease caused by infection with feline parvovirus (FPV), also known as feline panleukopenia virus.

FIE is probably the greatest major disease threat to any rescue facility and infection carries a very high mortality rate, particularly in unvaccinated kittens.

This was the first disease in cats to be shown to be caused by a virus, and parvoviruses are particularly dangerous as they are able to survive for long periods (up to several years) in the environment, and are resistant to many disinfectants.

In kittens over three or four weeks old and in adult cats the virus causes very severe diarrhoea and vomiting. Affected cats die rapidly. The virus causes severe damage to the lining of the intestine and also travels via the blood to the bone marrow and lymph glands.

Infected cats and kittens usually have a fever, are obviously depressed and will not eat. Some cats may die before even showing signs.

Pregnant cats can spread it to unborn kittens where it can interfere with the developing brain.

No specific treatment is available for FPV infection and it is vital that any suspected cases are nursed in isolation as this is a highly contagious disease.

Affected cats often die from dehydration and massive secondary infection, so aggressive support with intravenous fluids and antibiotics are crucial, but even with this, a high proportion of affected cats may die.

Feline parvovirus is much better prevented than treated. Highly effective vaccines are available and all cats and kittens should be vaccinated, including indoor-only cats.

Further reading is available at https://shorturl.at/fcaM3.