Please note: Our website is moving to:
www.shorti-online.org
Please be aware of the risks of Feline Vaccine Related Sarcoma / Cancer
What is the problem? For several years a growing number of cats have developed cancerous tumors at the location site of vaccines. Vaccines such as distemper, rabies and feline leukemia have caused these tumors in what statistics are showing to be anywhere from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 vaccine injections. The success rate for treatment of these tumors is unfortunately extremely low.
What should we do? Please speak to your Vet! Your vet should tell you the risks. Also a vaccine protocol is being advised to veterinarians. Giving a 3-year rabies vaccine annually should be avoided. Vaccinations should not be given between the shoulder blades, if a tumor develops, it is close to impossible to treat. Rabies and Feline Leukemia vaccines should be administered in the hind legs. You may also want to discuss with your vet how necessary it is for your cat to receive all of these vaccines. Not all cats may need every vaccine; indoor cats may not need the same vaccination protocol as outdoor cats. The veterinary task force is recommending that single indoor cats not be vaccinated with Feline Leukemia because the chances of them getting VAS (Vaccine Associated Sarcoma) is greater than getting Feline Leukemia.
Whether to vaccinate or not to vaccinate your cat is a decision you should make after knowing all of the facts. And as a cat owner you have a right to know about the risks and benefits of vaccines so that you can make decisions that you can live with.
What should I watch out for? After your cat has been vaccinated, a small lump could develop, but this could be a normal reaction. BUT, if there is a lump, please call your vet and let them know about it. IF the lump is STILL there 6-8 weeks after being vaccinated, you should contact your vet again. If your vet does nothing about this 2-month-old lump, go to another vet, this lump should be biopsied. Early detection and early removal might save your cat's life. Sometimes these cancerous tumors will develop within this short period of being vaccinated but sometimes it could take years. Most importantly: if you notice a small lump develop after a vaccine at the injection site, notify your vet immediately.
Post-Vaccination Sarcoma Websites worth investigating:
our own:
SHORT LINKS We have added new links about Vaccine Related Cancer, various links on Cancer, information about a VAS Online Support Group and MORE!Sylvia's Journey of New Hope This website has the most information that I have seen on this problem. It is an amazing site dedicated to a very special cat and created by some very special people.
Vaccine Associated Feline Sarcoma Taskforce
Shorti was our very special feline who fought as hard as she could against this horrible cancer.
Click here to read her story Click here to see a picture of Shorti
If you have a cat that has Vaccine Associated Sarcoma,
you might want to subscribe to our
VAS SUPPORT GROUP MAILING LISTWe now have over 220 members in our group.
Click on the cat face for information on how to join.
Through our Shorti's battle we have been lucky to meet some wonderful people. Some of these people have given us photos of their special pets. Please take a moment to look at the pictures in our online photo album. We have some exciting news for us here at Shorti OnLine, we have be honored to win a few web awards! Please visit our special awards. Shorti's Awards Page Thanks for visiting our website. Please realize that we aren't saying not to vaccinate your cats, we just feel that cat owners must be aware of these dangers so that we can make the proper decisions in caring for our pets. We are not vets, we are just cat owners who have seen the tragedy of Vaccine Related Fibrosarcoma firsthand.
Last revised 4/2/2002
design & artwork by Gigi
