Cat owners have been issued a warning amid a national shortage of pet vaccines.

All UK veterinary practices are reportedly experiencing a shortage of injections, with vulnerable cats, who are either elderly or suffer from a disease, being prioritised for vaccination.

Cats whose vaccination is due imminently are also being given high priority by vets.

Cinque Ports Vets, a veterinary practice with six branches in the southeast, wrote to cat owners to warn them of the shortages.

They said: “There has been an industry-wide shortage of Cat Vaccines affecting all UK veterinary Practices.

“This means that we will be prioritising the vaccination of vulnerable cats, to include factors such as age, disease risk exposure and how soon the vaccination is due.

“If your cat is due a vaccination, please call our practice where a member of our Reception Team will be happy to help and can advise you on when we can book your vaccination in.”

The practice said that they are currently trying to improve services.

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“As a reminder, vaccinations can be safely administered within three months of the due date, so these appointments can be booked in the future,” they said.

Dog owners have also been warned that their pets could be at risk, as a “flesh-eating” disease spreads across the UK.

Alabama Rot, a "very rare" condition which can cause kidney failure, has led to the deaths of over 300 dogs in the UK since 2012.

What causes the incurable disease, also known as CRGV (cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy), is currently unknown.

Vets at Anderson Moores, a specialist clinic, believe it could be a bacteria or a toxin.

Dogs with Alabama Rot can develop painful sores on their paws and legs which can damage the blood vessels in the skin.

The disease is sadly often fatal, with just a 10 per cent chance of those contracting the infection surviving.

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) said that dogs with Alabama Rot may develop ulcers on their legs or paws, as well as their head, muzzle, tongue, flank and belly.

The ulcers vary in severity and could just look like a cut, bruise or sting, however, the RVC stresses that most skin ulcers will not be caused by Alabama rot.

Owners are being advised to wash the mud off of their dogs’ legs, tummies and paws after they have been for a walk.