vaccine Induced Sarcomas


This warning appears on the vaccine consent forms.
  • WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GUARD AGAINST FISS?
  • 1. Vaccination decisions—even for core vaccines—should be based on a risk-benefit assessment of each cat and antigen. Benefits must be balanced against the risks of adverse events, likelihood of exposure, and disease severity.
  • 2. Avoid unnecessary vaccines. Be wary of vaccination recommendations that encourage you to vaccinate for every possible disease. Only FVRCP is truly a "core" vaccine. Laws regarding rabies vaccination of cats varies by state, county and township.

  • 3. The FeLV vaccine is associated with a higher risk of Feline Injection-Site Sarcoma (FISS). To prevent risks associated with vaccination and exposure to infected cats, keep your cat strictly indoors and test all new cats for FeLV/FIV before bringing them home. 4. Current vaccination guidelines recommend separating injection sites, and administering vaccines distally on the limb (below the knee or elbow) or in the tail. This facilitates treatment via amputation if a vaccination-site sarcoma develops. For example, we use the right hind leg for rabies and the left hind leg for FVRCP. 5. Recombinant or modified-live, non-adjuvanted vaccines are considered safer alternatives to adjuvanted and inactivated (killed-virus) vaccines because they incite less inflammation.

  • 4. Follow AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) 3-year vaccination schedule. 6. Any injection site lameness or lump should be evaluated immediately by a veterinarian. FISS can occur years after vaccination.
  • 7. To help prevent moderate to severe vaccine side effects, the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) advocates giving rabies vaccines at different times from other vaccines or surgical procedures. Here at Koontucky, we recommend a minimum of 30 days. More information, prevention and treatment of feline injection-site sarcomas: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11148925/ https://www.dvm360.com/view/feline-vaccine-associated-sarcoma-myth-or-reality-proceedings