Question:
Vaccinations carry risks for cats
BY DR. TRACY ACOSTA
Knight Ridder Newspapers
(KRT) - Vaccinations for pets remain one of the
cornerstones of preventative veterinary medicine
today; however, around 1991 veterinarians started to
notice a higher than expected number of injection site
sarcomas (tumors) in vaccinations to cats.
A sarcoma is a malignant tumor that can develop and
spread quickly. Even after surgical removal,
recurrence is a common complication.
In response to this problem, veterinarians,
researchers and manufacturers have explored the
reasons why this happens in anywhere from 1 in 1,000
to 1 in 10,000 cats that receive an injection. It is
important to note that initially only vaccines were
implicated as causing the sarcomas. Now it has been
shown that any type of injection can result in an
injection site sarcoma in cats.
Research has demonstrated that these sarcomas are the
result of an exaggerated response by the cats' immune
systems. Besides the inflammatory response that can be
caused by an injection, the use of adjuvants was also
noted as a possible cause of the sarcomas. Adjuvants
are chemicals that enhance an animal's immune system
response. So, recently the concern has been focused on
the two major potential risks involved with vaccines:
injection site inflammation and the use of adjuvants.
The newest feline leukemia vaccine promises to offer
much hope. Merial's (maker of Frontline and
Heartguard) new non-adjuvanted PUREVAX® Leukemia
Vaccine that is administered with the VET JET(TM)
transdermal system definitely addresses the two major
risk factors of feline vaccinations.
First, it is administered without the use of needles.
It delivers a low-volume dose of vaccine through a
tiny orifice into the cat's skin, subcutaneous tissue
and muscle in less than a second.
Through this method, the vaccine is deposited into the
immune-cell-rich layers of skin and underlying tissue.
Secondly the vaccine does not contain adjuvants.
It is important for all cat owners to remember that
feline leukemia is a highly contagious viral disease
that can drastically impair the immune system. This
deadly virus spreads easily through social grooming,
shared food and water bowls, bite wounds and common
litter boxes (or common potty locations outdoors).
Kittens also can contract feline leukemia from their
mothers while still in the womb as well as through
nursing and by grooming.
Feline leukemia contributes to other infectious
diseases by suppressing the immune system. It can also
cause a deadly anemia by suppressing bone marrow
production.
For cats that contract feline leukemia, 50 percent die
within six months and the others usually within three
years. With these types of facts it is critical to
discuss with your veterinarian your cat's risk factors
and decide if the feline leukemia vaccine should be a
part of your cat's vaccination protocol.
Another critical point for all cat owners to realize
is the importance of knowing your cat's feline
leukemia and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus)
status. All cats/kittens should be tested through a
simple clinic blood test. Once your cat's status is
known, your veterinarian can recommend when and how
often your cat will need to be retested.
---
(Dr. Tracy Acosta is a veterinarian at Biloxi (Miss.)
Animal Hospital. Do you have a question about your
pet? Write to the pet doctors at the South Mississippi
Veterinary Medical Association, 20005 Pineville Road,
Long Beach, MS 39560.)
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/living/10680273.htm
~~Des & Baby~~
Answer:
We just got one of these at the vet I work for a few weeks ago, and tried it out on a few of our strays before clients, so the doctors could get used to it.
Most cats put up quite a fight to be injected with the normal vaccine (probably stings quite a bit) but have no problem with the new kind. It makes kind of a loud pop, but that seems to be the only thing that bothers them... as long as you hold them still, you just place the "gun" against their skin and press a button, its over within a second.
And instead of the normal 1ml vaccine, I think this uses only .25ml, which is a lot less. I don't know of any possible side effects (since its so new) but for now it seems like a great way to administer vaccines. I'm sure other vaccines (rabies, fvrcp, etc) will soon follow.
Jessie
"There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast."
Answer:
Excellant post DesnBaby, Thanks........
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For the human heart Shapes as easily As clay upon The potter's wheel
Answer:
Bengal Cat wrote: Excellant post DesnBaby, Thanks........
Thanks & you're welcome BC!
~~Des & Baby~~
Answer:
When I took one of my cats in for his shots in December they gave him some kind of vaccine that they put in his nose, mouth and eyes. Does anyone know what this was? He told me at the time, but I can't remember now
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Answer:
bordatella is an intranasal vaccine. Its the only one we give. I know we do it to dogs, but I don't know about cats (I'm still new to the "assistant" work).
Different places use different vaccines and ways of administering them. So I'm not really sure what it was. I think I remember your post though... did he have some sort of funny reaction to it?
Jessie
"There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast."
Answer:
At the shelter I work at, we vaccinate the cats for upper respiratory infection intranasally (and a drop in each eye). Since we started this protocol, we have had an unusually low incidence of upper resp in the shelter.
Thanks Des for the fabulous sig!
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Answer:
Thanks for posting this DesnBaby. Learned alot!
Answer:
Mitts & Tess wrote: Thanks for posting this DesnBaby. Learned alot!
You're welcome Mitts & Tess!
~~Des & Baby~~