Non-availability of a vaccine to prevent viral and communicable diseases in feline animals has become a cause of concern for veterinarians in zoos across the country, including the one in the state capital.

Fel-O-Vax, the vaccine, is not available in Patna for nearly three months because of “some sort of restrictions” on its import. Even the newborns are not receiving the vaccine because of its non-availability.

Patna zoo veterinarian Dr Ajit told The Telegraph: “Fel-O-Vax is commonly used to prevent three diseases in the cat family — Feline viral rhinotracheitis, Feline calcivirus and Feline panleukopenia. These diseases come under the category of the feline distemper group. It is contagious and fatal in the cat population.”

He added: “We administer the doses (of the vaccine) to the members of the cat family in October every year, while newborns receive the medication eight weeks after birth. This year, we have not been able to administer the vaccine because of its non- availability in the market. The firm that provides us with medicines says there’s some sort of restrictions on its import from the US. We found their claims true, as the vaccine was not available in many zoos across the country.”

According to Dr Ajit, if an animal is not vaccinated, the virus first attacks its cells and lymph nodes then the bone marrow. In the final stage of the disease, the virus attacks the cat’s white blood cells and destroys its immunity. This leads to its death.

Satish Mehra, the marketing manager of Helpro Health Products, a veterinary medicine supplier to zoos across the country, said: “The import licences for all feline vaccines are pending with the government of India. Fel-O-Vax is one such vaccine that is imported by Pfizer India from Fort Dodge Labs, US. The vaccine is not in supply in the domestic market since December 31, 2011.”