Cats dying due to disease spreading in Olhu Hiyaa

Four associations have released a collaborative report that outlines the current state of the Olhu Hiyaa, where it states that 51 cats have died in about a month (20 days to be exact) due to a disease that has been spreading.

The report said that various cat related diseases such as mycoplasma have been spreading in the shelter, with the issue having escalated.

Even so, shelter officials and employees were unable to state as to why so many cats had died in such a short amount of time, as per the report.

The report outlines that 127 cats were at the shelter by 15th September, with an extra 8 cats being brought in. However, there are currently only 84 cats, with the genders of the cats and the amount of kittens being unknown.

The associations highlight that all the cats are kept in the same vicinity of each other. Due to healthy cats being kept in the same area as those with viral and fungal infections, the chances of diseases spreading is quite high. The report also noted that both male and female cats are kept in the same area.

The report states that while mycoplasma has been spreading at a rapid pace, the doctor in charge of the cats only has access to second choice antibiotics. It also stated that, due to the doctor having only started a month prior, there are no details regarding how the cats were being looked after, nor are there any details regarding vaccines. 

The report reads that due to those in charge of cleaning the shelter using the same gloves and brushes to clean every single cage, the danger of cross-contamination is real and exists. The report also read that even though employees said that different scoops are used to provide food to quarantined cats and cats in the outdoor kennels, there was no way to confirm this claim.

There was visible stool on the litter boxes and furniture, as stated in the report.

Along with the concerns outlined in the report, the associations have shared recommendations to keep the shelter clean. The associations have also called for proper monitoring of the cats' health and for those details to be made known to the public moving forward.