I never knew this about vaccinating cats!

[wdwmom2]

My Petco had a vaccination clinic today so I took both my cats and my dog to get their rabies vaccine. You had to sign a release to get the vaccines. For my cats, this is what the release read:

"In addition to the more well-known possible side-effects of vaccination, I have been informed of and accept the following:

After receiving an injection, including steroids, penicillin and ANY vaccine of ANY type, a cat may develop an aggressive, malignant type of cancer at the injection site. Recent studies (KASS) report the incidence of this in the overall cat population as less than 1 in 44,000. The cause is still unknown. It is also unknown what factors may cause a particular cat to be more or less likely to develop this syndrome after an injection. Being aware of this rare, yet possible occurrence, I give permission to LMP to vaccinate my cat, and understand that should this tumor develop, LMP is not responsible and treatment is at my own expense. I have been given the opportunity to ask any questions I may have before signing this release."


The vet and other workers that ran this clinic were wonderful. Very professional and patient. I have never heard of a cat getting a malignant tumor after an injection. Has anyone else seen or heard of this????

 

[EdiePA]

It's called VAS -- vaccine-related adenosarcoma. It can't be surgically removed because it will desseminate throughout their system. A huge tumor grew behind his head, where the vaccines are injected. We played 'hospice' for this cat for over a year, but finally had to have him put to sleep. It was horrible and he had no quality of life toward the end.

My vet has been very supportive with our latest cat -- yes, he did have his kitty shots, but nothing after that. He's an indoor cat and so far, so good. There is also the possibility of injecting the vaccines into the cat's tail -- that way, if the cancer develops, the tail could be removed.

I wish more people knew about this.

Edie

 

[SplshMtn99]

Is it from the needle (injection) or from the vaccination?

We have to give our cat fluids by IV needle every other day for kidney disease. If its the needle, you would think all those needles she gets would just increase her chance. Hope not!

 

[PhotobearSam]

I am probably in the minority but my cats had their shots as kittens and none since. They are indoor only cats and are almost 14 yrs old and very healthy. I had herad about this several times and was scared.

 

[LisaS]

Is it from the needle (injection) or from the vaccination?

We have to give our cat fluids by IV needle every other day for kidney disease. If its the needle, you would think all those needles she gets would just increase her chance. Hope not!

It is from the vaccine, not from the needles so don't worry.

 

[eclectics]

Mine got their Kitty shots and boosters and then that's it! They are indoor cats and the only animals they come in contact with are my cousins Labs when they vist (no other cats), so I don't see the need for these yearly vaccinations. I have heard rumors about this from other cat owners, so I'm glad I didn't cave under the pressure from the Vet to get them done.

 

[luvwinnie]

Mine got their Kitty shots and boosters and then that's it! They are indoor cats and the only animals they come in contact with are my cousins Labs when they vist (no other cats), so I don't see the need for these yearly vaccinations. I have heard rumors about this from other cat owners, so I'm glad I didn't cave under the pressure from the Vet to get them done.

Me too. And forour dog we have titres done to see if she truly NEEDS another vaccination.

 

[sarha]

Good friends of ours have a cat who developed a VAS at the rabies injection spot. she had her leg amputated about a month ago and the vet believes the tumor did not spread. The cat is adapting pretty quickly to walking on 3 legs.
This hit very close to home and I am not getting my cats vaccinated for rabies again. VAS is most common at the rabies and feline leukemia sites.

 

[mdhkitten]

I worked for vets for 12 years and we started seeing this, especially with Feline Leukemia vaccines, although they've learned that other types were doing it as well. Most vets have started giving the injections that are known to cause this IM (intra-muscular) in the back leg, so that if there is a chance of a tumor developing that they could amputate a leg (which a pet can live without very easily) rather than having to euthanize the pet. My cats were vaccinated for feline leukemia all of their lives and never had a problem. It does happen, but not to most animals. Hope this helps!

 

[nealymouse]

I used to work for a Vet. Once you have your pets vacanited and re-boostered the 2nd yr there is no need for more shots yearly.

Think about it ? Do you give your children shots yearly ? Of course not. Its a ploy for Vets to make more money. (my Vet told me this herself)

If you do have an outside cat its best to give them the yearly rabies shot, Its a safer dose I was told.

I am told that studies for rabies have only been studied for 3 years. And I am sure no Vet wants it stuided further because they will find that rabies and other shots are life lasting Not 1 to 3 yr lasting.

I am not a vet just passing info on my Vet gave me.

 

[Tina]

My vet told me about this a few years ago. My boys go to the vet regularly, but only get rabies shots. They're both indoors only and ages 14 and 16.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have no cats, don't really know much about them, but did read this. I do have a question though....inside/outside? By outside, I would presume that means a cat allowed to wander wherever it wants to, as opposed to be outside, on a leash. Why do people allow cats to be, outside cats? So many wind up looking like roofing shingles on the pavement, or get lost, not to return home, or meet some other life ending event. I never understood that. Anybody?

 

[wdwmom2]

After hearing back from you guys, I don't think that I will feel like a bad mom for NEVER EVER getting my cats vaccinated again. This was the last time. They are strictly indoor pets which greatly minimizes their chance of contracting a disease.

Thanks for your responses!!!!

 

[dmslush]

I have no cats, don't really know much about them, but did read this. I do have a question though....inside/outside? By outside, I would presume that means a cat allowed to wander wherever it wants to, as opposed to be outside, on a leash. Why do people allow cats to be, outside cats? So many wind up looking like roofing shingles on the pavement, or get lost, not to return home, or meet some other life ending event. I never understood that. Anybody?

I agree Dan. I just don't understand why people feel that it is okay to let their cats roam outside. It is dangerous and bothersome.

I do not give my indoor cats shots. I don't feel that there is a need since they are exclusively indoor and never encounter other animals.

 

[Aimeedyan]

There are many risks with vaccines, esp since many vets will tell you that you should get them every year and it causes longterm health problems.

I LOVE the people at www.critteradvocacy.org - they will break down each vaccine and tell you which ones need to be given when. Many people just don't realize they are overmedicating their animal.

My dogs do NOT receive yearly boosters or yearly rabies - it's not needed and dangerous. Instead, we run titers on them to ensure they are still good. It's more expensive, actually, but less risk of side effects. I, thankfully, have a vet that DOESN'T recommend yearly boosters for animals.

(when we had indoor only cats (and I agree ALL cats should be indoor only), they did not receive yearly vaccines unless they were at a high risk - I don't blame you at all for not doing them again)

 

[PhotobearSam]

Thank you to all that answered this post...I don't feel like a Bad Cat MOMMY anymore...

 

[Keli]

Dan,
If you live in a city I definitely see your point in not having 'outdoor' cats as there is no reason to do that.
But if you live in a rual area and have a barn there can be reasons for having 'outdoor' cats. They will keep the mouse population down around your home and in your barn. I have a lot of neighbors who have 'barn cats'.

 

[C.Ann]

I have no cats, don't really know much about them, but did read this. I do have a question though....inside/outside? By outside, I would presume that means a cat allowed to wander wherever it wants to, as opposed to be outside, on a leash. Why do people allow cats to be, outside cats? So many wind up looking like roofing shingles on the pavement, or get lost, not to return home, or meet some other life ending event. I never understood that. Anybody?

---------------------------------

I was raised in the country and "indoor" cats were not only unheard of, but it was considered cruel to keep them inside all of the time.. We had several cats when I was a child and none of them ever became road kill, didn't bring diseases home, never got lost, never had litters (as they were spayed or nuetered), never were mauled or attacked by other cats or dogs, and never encountered a "life ending" event.. They came in at night (or during the day if they chose to) and were just happy, healthy cats that eventually died of old age.. Actually this idea of cats needing to be "indoor cats only" is something I have only heard of in the past 10 to 15 years..

 

[Planogirl]

I was about to say the same about outdoor cats. Many rural residents keep barn cats to control the rodent population. My aunt lives in a tiny sleepy town and residents there take care of feral cats regularly but don't allow all of them to come in. It's just normal practice.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Up until this last year I had the yearly vaccines for our pets. This last year I had our cats titered and will do the same from now on. I want to research doing the same for our dogs.

Our cats are strictly indoor cats. However, as I understand it, certain illnesses can be brought into the house on our shoes. I really don't know how much of a risk that is, though.