FOR RELEASE: May 30, 1997
Contact: Roger Segelken
Office: (607) 255-9736
E-Mail: [email protected]
ITHACA, N.Y. -- The threat of a rare but serious condition in cats --
vaccine-associated feline sarcoma -- is prompting veterinary experts to
advise cat owners and their veterinarians to think twice about whether all
vaccinations are necessary for all cats.
"More so now than ever, the individual cat's environment and risk of
exposure should determine whether particular vaccines are administered,"
said James R. Richards, D.V.M. Richards is director of the Feline Health
Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, as well
as chair for education and communication at the national Vaccine-Associated
Feline Sarcoma Task Force.
The 10-member task force is made up of representatives from the American
Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association,
Veterinary Cancer Society, American Association of Feline Practitioners,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Institute and the Cornell
Feline Health Center.
Vaccine-associated feline sarcoma is the name that veterinary scientists
give to the
higher-than-expected number of cancerous tumors developing where cats have
been vaccinated. Veterinarians began noticing sarcomas at vaccination
sites on cats' bodies in 1991, and since that time research has shed some
light on the issue. (See attached: "Vaccines and Sarcomas: A Concern for
Cat Owners.")
"Even though the problem seems to be quite uncommon -- in the range of one
to four per 10,000 vaccinations -- the tumors themselves are quite serious
and are very difficult to manage successfully," Richards said. "These are
progressive tumors that continue to grow unless they are surgically removed
-- and sometimes even after they are removed."
The sarcomas are most frequently associated with vaccinations against
feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and, to a lesser extent, against rabies virus,
the cat doctor observed.
Research is being conducted in the hope of answering several questions.
Among them: How common is the condition among the approximately 60 million
pet cats in the United States? What is the cause? What is the best way to
treat the tumors? What is the outlook for affected cats? And, should
vaccination protocols be changed? The American Association of Feline
Practitioners is expected to release new vaccination recommendations this
summer.
In the meantime, both cat owners and veterinarians should review the need
for vaccinations on a case-by-case basis, the Cornell Feline Health Center
and the sarcoma task force recommend. A low risk of contracting certain
diseases may not warrant vaccination, the experts now suggest.
"For example, if we have a cat that spends time outside, then that animal
presents a different risk of feline leukemia, compared to a cat that stays
exclusively indoors and is never around cats that go outdoors. It may be
appropriate to omit the feline leukemia vaccination for an indoor cat.
These are the considerations that cat owners and veterinarians should
discuss," Richards said, noting that rabies vaccinations are required by
law in some U.S. locations, regardless of where cats spend their time, and
one "shot" will always be appropriate.
"We feel that the standard three-way vaccine [against panleukopenia, calici
virus and rhinotracheitis] is something that every cat should receive,"
Richards said. Skipping vaccinations altogether would not be wise, because
that could place cats at greater risk of life-threatening illnesses, he
said. "The benefits of vaccination still outweigh the risks in the vast
majority of situations. But when we find a situation where we can omit a
vaccination, that's what we want to do."
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Feline Health Center
College of Veterinary Medicine
Cornell University
Those of us entrusted with caring for cats have two basic desires: First,
we wish to help cats by preventing serious disease and death; second, we
wish to do them no harm. Achieving both objectives at the same time seems
simple enough. Unfortunately, few medical procedures are totally without
risk, and sometimes procedures that are normally helpful can cause harm.
The possible association between certain vaccines and sarcomas (specific
kinds of cancer) is an example.
Is this something new?
Sarcomas are not new, nor are they extremely rare. But in 1991,
veterinarians began to notice a higher-than-expected number of sarcomas
occurring on the body in places where vaccines are commonly injected. Since
most sarcomas are not linked with vaccines in any way -- and those that are
associated occur only infrequently -- it is very difficult to establish a
clear relationship. Veterinary scientists are clarifying the picture, but
much more needs to be learned.
So what's being done?
Veterinarians are deeply concerned. Even though vaccine-associated sarcomas
are uncommon, the problem is receiving unprecedented attention by
veterinarians and feline vaccine producers. The Vaccine-Associated Feline
Sarcoma Task Force is a coalition of concerned national veterinary
organizations dedicated to resolving the dilemma. This group is devoting
considerable human and financial resources to determine the true scope of
the problem, the exact cause and the most effective treatment of
vaccine-associated sarcomas.
If vaccines are causing problems, why use them at all?
Disturbing as this issue may be, there is great concern that cat owners,
attempting to keep their cats from harm, may forego vaccination entirely.
The result? Though well-intentioned, these owners may be placing cats at
far greater risk of acquiring a fatal infection than any risk the vaccine
poses. And in the case of rabies, human health is at risk as well.
What should I look for?
It is quite common for a small, firm, painless swelling to form under the
skin at the site where a vaccine was injected. The swelling is almost
always of no consequence, and it usually disappears after several weeks.
Rarely, however, the swelling may progress to a sarcoma, so it's important
that you contact your veterinarian if you notice a swelling at the vaccine
site. In fact, it's wise to contact your veterinarian if you suspect an
adverse reaction of any kind after vaccination.
How should I respond?
Until this problem is solved, the best response is to discuss the issue
with your veterinarian. In the vast majority of situations, vaccines are
much more beneficial than harmful. They continue to do an excellent job of
protecting cats from serious infection and disease. But one way to reduce
the chance of tumor development is to not vaccinate unnecessarily.
Veterinarians are being urged to evaluate each individual cat's risk of
infection to guide in deciding which vaccines should be given. After
considering both the vaccine and your cat's situation, your veterinarian
will assist you in designinga vaccination program that not only protects
against infectious disease but is as safe as possible.
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