As cat owners and lovers, our main concern is to protect our pets from the number of diseases that they can encounter. This is our purpose when we make that appointment with our veterinarian for vaccinations. More and more people are asking if traditional vaccination protocols are necessary, or indeed even harmful to our cats. This has become quite a hot topic among informed and educated people who have diametrically opposed viewpoints. So what are the answers? What, when and why do we vaccinate?
Most veterinarians will readily agree that the incidence of feline leukemia has been sharply reduced with the introduction of the feline leukemia vaccines of the last decade. The same is true of feline distemper or panleukemia. Both of these highly contagious, fatal viruses are just not seen that often anymore. Of course outside cats are more at risk for these viruses, but even a door dashing inside cat can become exposed in a relatively short time. Vaccination for rabies is mandated in some states by law, and is extremely important again in the outdoor cat as they are as likely as dogs to become exposed in endemic areas.
The main concern with vaccinations has been in the last few years with the knowledge that some cats were developing certain cancers at their vaccination sites. These cancers are rapidly progressing, aggressive and at times have been fatal. It has been estimated that possibly 1 in 5000 to 1 in 10,000 cats are affected. I have personally seen two in my practice of 10 years with one fatality.
Basket o' Kittens
Why are these vaccine induced sarcomas forming? About 10 years ago the drug companies changed the adjuvants in their vaccines. The adjuvant is the compound that allows the vaccine to persist in the body for a longer period of time in order for the body to develop a stronger immune response. This correlated with a greatly increased number of vaccine sarcomas. There have been other things besides vaccines that have been incriminated, recent research has also determined that the cats that develop these tumors have a genetic predisposition and have identified the gene involved.
What can we do to help reduce the chances of these vaccine related problems? The first thing to do is ask if the vaccine used on your cat contains an adjuvant. The American Association of Feline Practitioners has also adopted a guideline suggesting that specific vaccination sites be used to try to decrease the amount of vaccination associated inflammation. Instead of giving all vaccines at one spot, such as in the neck, sites in each leg are also recommended. The vaccines used should come from single dose tanks instead of multiple dose tanks, this reduces chances of improper mixing which has also been identified as a risk factor.
Taino
Do we need to vaccinate our cats as often as we have been, on an annual basis? Probably not, in fact the American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends the standard kitten series of distemper and respiratory diseases followed by a booster one year later and then every 3 years after that. Vaccinations for leukemia should depend upon the environment the cat is placed in. This is something that your veterinarian can help you decide. Obviously keeping our cat inside is best. Having large numbers of cats greatly increases their chances of infectious disease as well and require a different strategy than the single apartment dweller.
Last but not least, while keeping in perspective that the incidence of a vaccine related tumor is rare, don't discount any lumps that form following vaccination. Bring these to the attention of your veterinarian right away. Many times lumps will go away on there own, but any that persist or appear to be enlarging should be removed and submitted for analysis.
This is a complicated issue and there is no set vaccination protocol that fits every cat and every household. This is something that an informed owner and veterinarian can help decide together.
Mary E. Herrera. D.V.M.
Sutherlin Veterinary Hospital
702 W, Central
Sutherlin, OR 97479
October 2000
