MORE than a third of Monmouthshire’s cats are at risk of potentially life-threatening feline diseases because owners don’t feel regular vaccinations are necessary, a veterinary professional has warned.

Dr Sally Edis-Bates, a veterinary surgeon with Merial Animal Health, sponsors of the survey, stated, ‘The lack of awareness regarding the importance of vaccination is surprising.

‘Many owners understand the need to vaccinate in the first few months, but it appears that the message regarding regular vaccination against potentially life threatening diseases is not getting through; owners need to be aware that vaccines protect against many potentially fatal diseases such as feline leukaemia and panleukopenia.

The survey revealed that many cat owners know very little about the serious diseases their cat is at risk from; notably, 35 per cent of owners aged between 18-35 don’t believe vaccination to be necessary at all.

Sally continues, ‘These results demonstrate that we need to look at how we can better inform cat owners about the need to vaccinate regularly and provide more information on the diseases that cats can be protected against’.