A combination of three viruses result in a fatal cat disease that's killed hundreds across the country in recent weeks, a senior government vet says.

The viruses that cause flu, measles and intestinal problems are not communicable to humans, says Thawatchai Sakphoo-aram of the Kasetsart University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, quoting results of a post-mortem inspection of nine dead cats from Angthong.

The three diseases result in potentially fatal feline calicivirus, or so-called "foot and mouth disease", he explains. The causes of the infections are attributed to malnutrition and chronic dehydration.

Thawatchai called on cat-owners to get them vaccinated once a year. Don't discard sick cats at temples, he pleads. Bring them to Kasetsart University campuses in Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom for treatment or to other universities, he says.

All sick cats will be treated, he says, saving their lives from the killer combination.

If cats vomit blood, it is a symptom that they have feline calicivirus. Other initial symptoms include high fever and a cough.

The university is giving out free vaccinations to pet cats in Angthong, where 202 have fallen ill.

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