So when I took my Patches (1 yr old male Tuxedo) for his recheck after surgery & vaccines. They vet (great dr!) gave me the follow through about vaccinations & what he needs. He was given 2 vaccines. & told me think about the Rabies Vaccine IF I wanted to get it. He told me that the injection site (where the Rabies vaccine was injected on) may develop into "injection site cancer" also known as, Fibrocarcinomas. That its common more on cats than dogs. Hence why the injection is applied to one of their back legs. So if cancer DID develop, the leg would be amputated. & that cat would still be ok on 3 legs. He said the chances of this however were minimal. But if the cat was an outdoor cat, that I should look into getting it. So, for now I'm thinking "its my cat & I aint risking it!!".
Downside, I called a society where they refer you to low cost neutering vets. I need to neuter my 2nd male cat. Unfortunately in order to get him neutered, I need to vaccinate him. But they REQUIRE THAT I VACCINATE HIM WITH THE RABIES VACCINE! I asked if this vaccine can not be given but they said that they wont be able to neuter him then. (I was totally unaware that rabies vaccine caused this on cats!!)
What have you heard about this?! Know anyone whos cat has an injection site tumor/cancer due to Rabies vaccine?
I found this that reads: "Do Cats Have Special Needs?
Dr. Jean Hofve, DVM and former Editor-in-Chief of The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Journal, writes: Ideally, for cats the Merial Purevax recombinant vaccine can be used in place of the older killed vaccines that can cause injection-site tumors. She adds: When vaccines were given between the shoulder blades, these cancers were inoperable because they would grow into the spine, ribcage, and chest. This became such a serious problem that now it is recommended to give the rabies vaccine in the right hind leg so that when a tumor does develop, the whole leg can be amputated and thus the cat's life can be saved."
Vaccine injection site carcinomas are always a concern in cats.
Your vet is right on with the information he gave you about where injections are given.
I would ask him if he has or could order you the Merial 1 year Rabies vaccine.
The Merial vaccine does not have adjuncts in it that are believed to be the cause of increased inflammation that leads to these cancerous sites.
I have been working in the veterinary field for over a decade and even with the older vaccines have yet to see a cat need an amputation due to a vaccine site reaction.
Rabies is certainly a powerful immune stimulating vaccine but the feline leukemia is thought to be even more problematic.
The upside is the great minds at Merial have developed a trans dermal vaccine for feline leukemia that does not have the risks associated with the traditional feline leukemia vaccine.
Everyone should demand their vets use the Merial vaccines as they are far more cat friendlier.
Cats should always be protected against rabies as they are at high .risk for exposure.
Most states it is required by law.
If you ever have questions regarding vaccinating your beloved go to the American Association of Feline Practioners (AAFP) website.
They are the advocates and consensus of great minds regarding what is best for our feline patients.
4 users commented in " Does the injection site for rabies vaccine cause cancer/tumors?!? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI work with a humane society and we give thousands of rabies vaccines each year to cats. I cannot recall a single case where a cancer developed that resulted in amputation of a cat's leg. The risk is so low that I would not hold off on vaccination due to this risk. And at least where I live, rabies vaccination is the law. My in-laws cat bit a pet sitter last year when his rabies vaccination ended up being 3 months overdue (he is an inside cat also). It was a mistake made by the vets office - the shot was supposed to have been given when the cat had his dental cleaning several months before and it was forgotten. Their cat ended up in quarantine at animal control for 10 days. So there is a reason to do it. The vet should have explained that side of it as well - he gave you the unlikely scenario - the one I gave you is a lot more likely.
Never mind the fact that an un-neutered male cat will start spraying marking your home soon if he is not done.
References :
Make sure your cat get the 1 year rabies shot and not the 3 year rabies shot.
I heard that cats don't need to get vaccinations ever year too.
http://www.aalonasiberians.com/files/truthaboutpetvaccines.pdf
http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/vac.html
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc.htm
http://www.theinternetpetvet.com/a-vaccine-petition-to-sign-reasons-not-to-vaccinate
http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com/ebook/index_.php
References :
Hi,
I had the same dilema. Here's what i learned and did.
1..the risk is 1 in 10000 which doesn't count for s… if the 1 is your cat.
2 It seems to be the feline leukemia shot thats causing this mostly…if your cat test negative for leukemia and you keep him in,,he CAN'T I REPEAT..CAN'T GET THE VIRUS..because it has to be caught from another cat.
3..your cat has to be fixed so here's a few options which is what i do…and did…
I did all the vaccinations except for the leukemia one..i had all of my cats fixed and i don't know how into cats you are or your financial situation but vets now do a "Titer" test…they can actually tell by a blood test if your cat still has anitbodies so you do not over vaccinate..some cats don't need vaccines for years. I do live in the city though and i don't have to worry about rabies and my cats don't go out.
The titer test costs around 100 dollars and for me i rather do this then over vaccinate the cat.
Again,,i am absoutely positive it's not the rabies shot that was causing the tumors but the feline leukemia one. Good luck.
References :
I have 6 cats
Vaccine injection site carcinomas are always a concern in cats.
Your vet is right on with the information he gave you about where injections are given.
I would ask him if he has or could order you the Merial 1 year Rabies vaccine.
The Merial vaccine does not have adjuncts in it that are believed to be the cause of increased inflammation that leads to these cancerous sites.
I have been working in the veterinary field for over a decade and even with the older vaccines have yet to see a cat need an amputation due to a vaccine site reaction.
Rabies is certainly a powerful immune stimulating vaccine but the feline leukemia is thought to be even more problematic.
The upside is the great minds at Merial have developed a trans dermal vaccine for feline leukemia that does not have the risks associated with the traditional feline leukemia vaccine.
Everyone should demand their vets use the Merial vaccines as they are far more cat friendlier.
Cats should always be protected against rabies as they are at high .risk for exposure.
Most states it is required by law.
If you ever have questions regarding vaccinating your beloved go to the American Association of Feline Practioners (AAFP) website.
They are the advocates and consensus of great minds regarding what is best for our feline patients.
References :
cvt