Vaccination can go a long way in minimizing the severity of infections in the future, while others can prevent infections. Today, there are a variety of vaccinations available to prevent diseases in pets.
And as every treatment comes with risks, so do vaccines. A common risk associated with vaccines in cats is a sarcoma.
Sarcoma is a cancerous mass that develops around the area where a vaccine was injected. It may arise from fat, muscles, bone or cartilage. Sarcomas take as little as weeks to as long as years after vaccination to grow. The tumors are described as highly invasive and if left untreated, cancer may spread to the lungs, lymph nodes or even the skin. Given its link to vaccinations, it’s easy to see why cat owners are often concerned about the risk of vaccinating their cats.
What are the causes of sarcomas?
Though the main sarcoma is yet to be discovered, it is a common belief that inflammations as a result of injection-administered products can cause sarcomas. According to research, report vaccine-associated sarcomas are mostly triggered by rabies vaccines or vaccines with FeLV.
As previously mentioned, vaccine-related sarcomas occur in form of inflammations. As a result, if your cat is suffering from sarcoma, you’ll notice lesions growing at the site vaccine injection. The lesions become persistent with time and grow in size. In advanced sarcoma, the inflammations become ulcerated and fixed.
Diagnosis
To ascertain whether or not your cat is suffering from sarcoma, you will need to analyze your cat’s medical history, possible incidents that might trigger the onset of sarcoma and the commencement of symptoms.
Your vet may order a urinalysis, electrolyte panel, blood chemical profile and/or complete blood count. FIV and FeLV may also be performed. X-rays of the abdominal area and the chest may be done to assess the extent to which cancer has spread.
Treatment
Effective treatment protocols for Sarcoma re difficult. However, radiation therapy is recommended before and after surgery. A contrast scans before surgery is also recommended for lengthening the period of time before sarcoma reoccurs.
Why are cats especially at risk of sarcoma?
Although vaccine-related sarcomas have been found to affect other animals, it is still unclear as to why cats seem to be at increased risk of the condition.
Even with the risk of sarcoma, should I vaccinate my cat?
The short answer here is yes. Vaccines are administered to prevent infections from occurring or minimize on their severity, as mentioned above. Failure to vaccinate your cat may, therefore, result in fatal consequences for cat including death. The much you can do to prevent sarcoma is to follow your state’s vaccination regulations. Visit an animal hospital in Peekskill, NY, and talk to your vet about the best vaccines for your cat. Do remember to inform the vet about your cat’s medical history and lifestyle.
The risk of contracting has been proven to increase with the number of vaccines given. Apparently, vaccinated cats have a 50% higher risk if sarcoma than those that are not vaccinated.
Signs and symptoms of sarcoma
As previously mentioned, vaccine-related sarcomas occur in form of inflammations. As a result, if your cat is suffering from sarcoma, you’ll notice lesions growing at the site vaccine injection. The lesions become persistent with time and grow in size. In advanced sarcoma, the inflammations become ulcerated and fixed.
Diagnosis
To ascertain whether or not your cat is suffering from sarcoma, you will need to analyze your cat’s medical history, possible incidents that might trigger the onset of sarcoma and the commencement of symptoms.
Your vet may order a urinalysis, electrolyte panel, blood chemical profile and/or complete blood count. FIV and FeLV may also be performed. X-rays of the abdominal area and the chest may be done to assess the extent to which cancer has spread.
Treatment
Effective treatment protocols for Sarcoma re difficult. However, radiation therapy is recommended before and after surgery. A contrast scans before surgery is also recommended for lengthening the period of time before sarcoma reoccurs.
Why are cats especially at risk of sarcoma?
Although vaccine-related sarcomas have been found to affect other animals, it is still unclear as to why cats seem to be at increased risk of the condition.
Even with the risk of sarcoma, should I vaccinate my cat?
The short answer here is yes. Vaccines are administered to prevent infections from occurring or minimize on their severity, as mentioned above. Failure to vaccinate your cat may, therefore, result in fatal consequences for cat including death. The much you can do to prevent sarcoma is to follow your state’s vaccination regulations. Visit an animal hospital in Peekskill, NY, and talk to your vet about the best vaccines for your cat. Do remember to inform the vet about your cat’s medical history and lifestyle.
