Author: Lynn Schneider, Zirdeli Turkish Angoras
"VAS" stands for Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (also known as Injection Site Sarcoma or "ISS"). VAS is an aggressive feline cancer linked with a variety of vaccines and injections. While current treatment options have been successful in some cases, cures are very rare.
Cats are at risk for VAS/ISS simply because they are cats. But many veterinary experts believe that vaccines containing an additive called an "adjuvant" are significantly more likely to trigger this cancer. As a safer alternative, these experts recommend the use of currently available vaccines that do not contain an adjuvant, described below.
You should not stop giving your cat vaccines. Vaccines may save your cat's life, but not every cat needs every vaccine available. The vaccines that your can may need will depend on your cat's age, health and environment, and whether or not rabies vaccination is required by law in your community.
Beginning in 1998, scruff shots were no longer considered to be the standard of care in feline veterinary medicine. With the exception of insulin and fluids to treat dehydration, NO shots should ever be given in the scruff of your cat's neck. Because it is so close to your cat's ribs, heart and lungs, successful treatment of VAS in this area is very difficult.
If your cat is sick, has ever had a vaccine reaction, or has an immune system disorder, your cats should not be vaccinated.
Because vaccinations are medical procedures that may have harmful side effects, ask your vet about the possible side effects of each vaccine prior to consenting for vaccination. These side effects can range from a mild allergic reaction to triggering one of these cancers to anaphylactic shock (a sudden, severe and often deadly reaction).
Ask your vet to allow any refrigerated vaccines to come to room temperature prior to administration. A recent research study suggests that refrigerated vaccines may be more likely to trigger VAS.
Vaccines cause your cat's body to make the "army" necessary to fight the virus. This is called an "immune response". When you give your cat multiple vaccines at one time, it creates a much larger job for your cat's immune system and may actually hinder your cat's ability to fight a disease (or a cancer). For this reason, avoid giving your cat several vaccines at one time. Instead, separate vaccinations by several weeks to avoid overloading, and perhaps weakening, your cat's immune system.
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When it's time to vaccinate, Make sure that your Veterinarian follows the Prevailing Standard of Care for Vaccine Injection Sites and ask for safer, adjuvant-free vaccines!
Rabies vaccines should be given in the RIGHT rear leg as distally (low) as possible. Currently, the only rabies vaccine available with out adjuvant is Merial's Non-Adjuvanated Purevax.
Feline Leukemia (FeLV) vaccine should be given in the LEFT rear leg as distally (low) as possible. Strictly indoor adult cats should not need this vaccine. If necessary, consider adjuvant-free Intervet's Protex FeLV.
FVRCP or "Upper Respiratory" These vaccines may be given as an injection or an intranasal vaccine. The injection should be given over the right shoulder as distally (low) as possible. Modified Live vaccines do not contain adjuvant, so request Modified Live Virus vaccines. You may also want to consider intranasal vaccines from Heska and Pfizer. If you choose the injectable form, consider Merial's injectable adjuvant-free vaccines called Purevax-2 or Purevax-3.
To read more about each of these vaccines, and others, in easy-to-understand language, read "Current Vaccine Recommendations for Kittens and Cats" at:
www.vas-awareness.org/CurrentVaxRecs112003.pdf
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Following vaccination, be sure that your Vet records the vaccine manufacturer, lot number and injection locations on you cat's medical record. You or your vet will need to report this information if your cat has a vaccine reaction or develops VAS. You can also ask for a copy of the vaccine information to keep for your records!
Small lumps following vaccination that disappear several weeks after a vaccination are very common. But because VAS can occur months to years after a vaccination, learn to take note of your cat's body as you pet him or her.
The Cornell Feline Health Center recommends that you see your vet immediately if ANY of the following occur:
If your cat has a vaccine reaction, you will want to report it. All vaccine reactions need to be reported to both the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics and the Vaccine Manufacturer. VAS/ISS is not only under-diagnosed, but also under-reported. Reporting adverse vaccine reactions will lead to better and safer products and a more accurate assessment of the incidence of VAS/ISS.
To find out how to report a vaccine reaction, visit "Report a Reaction" at:
www.vas-awareness.org/ReportReaction.htm
If your Vet suspects VAS/ISS, request a referral to an oncologist for further treatment. Before you consent to any surgery, it is extremely important that you consult a board-certified surgeon or a specialist. If the veterinary oncologist recommends amputation of a limb, you can visit the "Guide of Amputee Caregivers" at: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/shortionline/tripod/tripod.html
If the diagnosis is VAS, you will find over 500 people who have had VAS cats at the Feline VAS Support Group at: www.feline-vas-support.org
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To Learn More about VAS:
There are many web sites dedicated to VAS Education.
These are a good place to start!
www.catshots.com- created by Jeff and Coleen Kremer to honor their cat, Sylvia, this web site remains unchallenged as the most comprehensive web site available for professional veterinary information about Vaccine Associated Sarcoma.
www.vas-awareness.orgis an on-line educational booth for VAS Awareness. VAS awareness hosts educational tables, providing free information at cat shows and other events. At this link, you will find links to all of the VAS Awareness handouts - and more! Here, you will also find out how to contact VAS Awareness with questions or comments, how to report a vaccine reaction, and how you can support VAS Awareness and veterinary research concerning VAS and feline vaccine safety.
VAS Awareness and the VAS Cat Show Group are pleased to be supporting members of the Cornell Feline Health Center. If you would like to support or learn more about the Cornell Feline Health Center, visit: http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/FelineHealth.html
Visit the Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force at: http://www.avma.org/vafstf/
Read the online version of the Task Force's brochure "Vaccines and Sarcomas - A Concern for Cat Owners" at http://www.avma.org/vafstf/ownbroch.asp. Your vet can get these brochures by requesting them from the Cornell Feline Health Center. Call (607) 253-3414 for information on how to order the brochures.
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