Melbourne meerkats shoo the flu

Every kid needs immunisation shots, even Bob the meerkat.

The 10-week-old and his mum put on a brave face on Tuesday as the Melbourne Zoo pup got a health check-up and vaccinations for cat flu and feline enteritis.

"Meerkats, although not felids like domestic cats, can get some of the same diseases and therefore we can use this vaccine," said head vet Michael Lynch.

Meerkats, though part of the wider feliformia or cat-like order, are part of the mongoose family.