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 Pet Central
Q&A
Q: We were devastated
to learn our cat, Max, had contracted cancer at the sight of his vaccine
from his yearly rabies inoculation. Several vets agreed treatment is hopeless,
and we’re now watching our beloved cat die. We had told our vet we didn’t
want the rabies portion of the vaccine for our indoor cat. Obviously,
our instructions were ignored. And the vet never told us about the possibility
of cancer. Please tell readers our story so this doesn’t happen to them.
Where can we learn more about cancer and cats? -- J.M.L., Fort Lauderdale,
Fla.
A: You have our deepest,
most heartfelt support and sympathy. We’re so sorry about what Max is
going through.
Dr. James Richards,
director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University College
of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, N.Y., is a member of a task force to learn
more about these cancers. Current thinking is that anywhere from one to
10 cats in 10,000 may suffer a vaccine-related sarcoma. Still, no matter
what the odds, if it’s your cat, statistics won’t make you feel better.
For those few cats diagnosed with vaccine-related sarcoma, the current
therapies may be expensive and all too often unsuccessful.
In 1998, Richards
served on a American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) panel
which recommended cats no longer be required to have an annual vaccine
for rabies. Instead, the new protocol recommends cats get vaccinations
every three years.
However, many vets
don’t feel enough research has been done to substantiate this new recommendation.
Even if your vet wanted to follow the AAFP panel’s new guideline, he must
obey state and local law. In Florida, the rabies vaccine is required annually.
Cats are more likely
than dogs to get rabies, and rabies is on the rise in many parts of the
country. Local health authorities don’t make a distinction between indoor
and outdoor cats. While outdoor cats are clearly more at risk, there are
cases of raccoons or other critters that carry rabies getting into an
attic, basement, or elsewhere and coming into contact with a family cat.
Richards’ panel did recommend that vets and clients with cats that had
previous adverse reactions to rabies shots appeal to local health officials
to opt for the three-year plan.
Having said all this,
it does seem your vet might have done a better job communicating with
you.
By the way, according
to new protocol, vets now give the rabies vaccine in the right rear leg.
If there is a vaccine-related cancer, the hope is the afflicted cat will
at worst lose a leg instead of its life.
Find out more about
feline related sarcomas at this Web site: www.avma.org/vafstf/default.htm
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