23

The vet was a kindly man who knew the family well. This was not new to find them with some neighbourhood animal, from domestic to wild. The cat had been taken away quickly and now the man returned.

"Feline calicivirus infection is a common respiratory disease in cats. Cats typically acquire feline calicivirus (FCV) after coming into contact with other infected cats, such as in a cattery, boarding facility or shelter. But because FCV disinfectants are not very effective against FCV, the virus may persist in the environment, which means that cats may come into contact with it without known exposure to other cats. While there is no specific medication that is given for viral infections of this type, broad spectrum prescription pet antibiotics are given to prevent or treat the secondary bacterial infections that are commonly seen with viral infections." He explained "Vaccination against the calicivirus is strongly advised. This infection can occur in cats of any age, but young kittens older than six weeks have been found to be most susceptible."

"So … the other cats might have it or get it?" Ianto was alarmed now, the village had well over thirty cats … maybe more as he had been rather lax with the cat count lately.

"Look, Mister Meow will stay here for a few days while he gets treatment. I suggest we begin a little clean-up crew to…" the vet paused as Hawk made a sharp noise then the vet crouched to address him "It's important they all get medicine so they don't get sick. They can feel really bad with this. Sort of like… the flu or something. We will catch them, tag and vaccinate, then they can go back home. No harm, no foul. OK?"

"But the babies?" he whimpered.

"New ones, too small for the vaccine yet" Ianto sighed.

"Isolate. Quarantine those at risk… then as they become old enough, we poke them" the vet shrugged as he poked a finger into the child's chest, then rose to speak to Ianto face to face "Main thing is to start cleaning up the current population including those infected already."

"No one is going to die" Jack assured his little man "You might have saved them all. Way to go Hawk. A Kitty Hero."

Yes. He accepted that walking out with a little puffed up chest as the Vet agreed to give the 'boys' some humane traps when they come to visit to catch the wild ones for a thorough exam and vaccine.

Ianto then remembered those kittens and went to warn his son that Moo-Moo was looking.