Sarcomas in Cats: What They Are and How to Avoid Them
Among the various adverse events reported related to cat vaccinations, Rio Rancho’s Coronado Pet Hospital ranks feline injection-site sarcomas as one of the more serious.
Injection-site sarcomas are cancerous growths that can arise at sites where the cat has received a vaccine, such as feline leukemia or rabies. Such an inflammatory response can also result from other injections, such as microchips or slow-release antibiotics. While inflammation from any injection is fairly common, the development of injection-site sarcomas is rare, and the exact causation is poorly understood.
You may notice a raised lump at the injection site within a few hours of treatment. In the majority of cases, the swelling will resolve within three weeks. In rare cases, however, the swelling will persist and should be checked by your veterinarian. A true injection-site sarcoma has the potential to spread to other sites in the body, and the prognosis is poor.
How to Avoid Sarcomas in Cats
When administering cat vaccinations, Rio Rancho’s own Coronado Pet Hospital has taken several precautions to reduce the risk of sarcoma formation.
Most canine and feline vaccines contain an additive called an adjuvant. This is a chemical agent added to the dose to enhance the body’s natural immune response. More additives, however, increase the likelihood of an inflammatory response in your cat. At Coronado Pet Hospital, we use non-adjuvanted vaccines for cats whenever available.
In addition, we are careful to vaccinate your cat at the lowest point possible on a fore- or hind-limb, instead of in the shoulder or haunch. In the worst case, if a sarcoma did develop, amputation would be a realistic possibility to stop the spread of cancer.
Overall, our veterinarians advise that the risks of not vaccinating at all for certain feline diseases are greater than the risk of possible tumor development.
Cat Vaccinations Rio Rancho Pet Owners Trust
At Coronado Pet Hospital, we understand that, as a pet owner, you want the very best for your companion. Call to make an appointment with our highly qualified team today. Our staff will walk you through the safest cat vaccinations Rio Rancho has to offer.