CAT VACCINES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Did you know that not all cat vaccines are created equal?

FACT: Some cats are genetically predisposed to forming a malignant tumor called a feline injection-site sarcoma (FISS) at the site where they get vaccinated. This tumor spreads quickly if not caught early. It is very difficult to remove as it grows, since it sends tendrils of cancerous cells into the surrounding tissue. Most tumors form within 4 years of the vaccine, but they can occur even later. It has been estimated that up to 22,000 new cases of FISS tumors develop each year.

FACT: These tumors are associated with chronic inflammation from the injection.

FACT: Chronic inflammation has been linked to adjuvants (ad-juh-vents) contained in some vaccines. An example of an adjuvant is aluminum. Even “lipid based” and other non-aluminum adjuvants cause chronic inflammation.

FACT: The World Small Animal Veterinary Association and the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases both recommend the use of non-adjuvanted vaccines whenever possible.

FACT: You have a choice when it comes to what kind of vaccine your cat gets, as well as making sure your cat isn’t over-vaccinated.

**Since we don’t know which cats are more likely to get a feline injection-site sarcoma, the only thing we can control is the type of vaccine we give**

It’s not worth the risk, so be sure to ask your vet for adjuvant-free vaccines. This is a potentially life-saving question that most people don’t know to ask!

Examples of these safer vaccines include:

•             FVRCP (“feline distemper”)- any “modified live” vaccine 
•       FeLV (feline leukemia)- only the PureVax Leukemia by Merial 
•       Rabies- only the PureVax Rabies by Merial 

Visit http://www.catvets.com/cfp/cat-owners to find a cat-friendly practice in your area. You can also view feline vaccine guidelines on the site. Avoiding over-vaccination is another way to reduce the likelihood of these tumors. Note that in adult cats, the FVRCP vaccine is recommended every 3 years, not annually! 

Thank you for caring about your cat. Please let other people know about this, so that more lives can be saved!

Laura Cochrane, DVM 
DrKind Klaws.com
AnimalSource.com