Vaccine Reactions and Risks:
Risk Prevelance:
There are many different types of reactions that cats can have with any type of vaccine. The number of cats that have reactions can be difficult to obtain because most owners expect or do not report mild symptoms after vaccination. The most common side effects of vaccines, estimated to be between 3 and 50 cats per 10,000 vaccinated are from most to least common: general malaise (low energy) +/- low fever, local pain or swelling at vaccine site, vomiting, facial swelling, and generalized itching (pruritus). Rarely, unusual side effects such as respiratory difficulty, polyarthritis (seen as lameness), or cancer formation at sight of vaccination (see VAS below) are seen. Acute collapse or death has also been reported with numbers thought to be anywhere from 0.1 to 3 cats in 10,000 cats. I have seen this only once in 20 years of busy practice, so I believe the number to be smaller. Once was enough..... it was devastating. But, just as devastating is watching litters of kittens pass away miserably from panleukopenia (feline parvovirus) or cats fading and quickly dying from symptoms of leukemia. I have seen much more of the latter and thus the risk vs benefit is determined. Vaccines are necessary, despite small risks.
Risk Prevelance:
There are many different types of reactions that cats can have with any type of vaccine. The number of cats that have reactions can be difficult to obtain because most owners expect or do not report mild symptoms after vaccination. The most common side effects of vaccines, estimated to be between 3 and 50 cats per 10,000 vaccinated are from most to least common: general malaise (low energy) +/- low fever, local pain or swelling at vaccine site, vomiting, facial swelling, and generalized itching (pruritus). Rarely, unusual side effects such as respiratory difficulty, polyarthritis (seen as lameness), or cancer formation at sight of vaccination (see VAS below) are seen. Acute collapse or death has also been reported with numbers thought to be anywhere from 0.1 to 3 cats in 10,000 cats. I have seen this only once in 20 years of busy practice, so I believe the number to be smaller. Once was enough..... it was devastating. But, just as devastating is watching litters of kittens pass away miserably from panleukopenia (feline parvovirus) or cats fading and quickly dying from symptoms of leukemia. I have seen much more of the latter and thus the risk vs benefit is determined. Vaccines are necessary, despite small risks.
Types of Reactions:
Vaccine reactions typically occur between 30 min and 3 hours of vaccination though unusual reactions can occur as much as 3 days later. In general: If you see any respiratory difficulty, collapse or extreme lethargy cats must be seen immediately. Complete anorexia for more than 36 hours or lethargy longer than 48 to 72 hours is also cause for evaluation. If your pet has mild symptoms that do not require evaluation, is important that we are notified during future vaccination appointments. Preventative measures can be taken before the next vaccines are given such as pretreatment or change in type of vaccine given.
Vaccine reactions typically occur between 30 min and 3 hours of vaccination though unusual reactions can occur as much as 3 days later. In general: If you see any respiratory difficulty, collapse or extreme lethargy cats must be seen immediately. Complete anorexia for more than 36 hours or lethargy longer than 48 to 72 hours is also cause for evaluation. If your pet has mild symptoms that do not require evaluation, is important that we are notified during future vaccination appointments. Preventative measures can be taken before the next vaccines are given such as pretreatment or change in type of vaccine given.
Choosing Adjuvant vs Non-adjuvant Vaccines:
As an owner you will hear many recommendations for cats from many of us (veterinarians and veterinary technicians) who may have a strong opinion on which and what type of vaccines should be given to your cat, especially because of what was once called Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (VAS) in cats. VAS is now referred to as FISS (Feline Injection Site Sarcoma) because we now know that many types of injections, not just vaccines, can induce tissue inflammation and have the potential, though VERY rare (less than 0.3 to 1 in 10,000 cats), to cause a sarcoma (a type of cancer) in the area the injection was given due to chronic inflammatory changes. I prefer to follow the opinions of a compilation of many smart people and take into account what I have seen in practice over the last 20 years as well. One of the big concerns and debates in our industry is the specific or not-so-specific?? link to adjuvant vs non-adjuvant vaccines causing FISS in cats. For the most recent "opinions" from the advisory panel of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), ie. a compilation of many smart people who are specialists in the field of feline medicine, click the following link below to see current vaccine "cautions":
As an owner you will hear many recommendations for cats from many of us (veterinarians and veterinary technicians) who may have a strong opinion on which and what type of vaccines should be given to your cat, especially because of what was once called Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (VAS) in cats. VAS is now referred to as FISS (Feline Injection Site Sarcoma) because we now know that many types of injections, not just vaccines, can induce tissue inflammation and have the potential, though VERY rare (less than 0.3 to 1 in 10,000 cats), to cause a sarcoma (a type of cancer) in the area the injection was given due to chronic inflammatory changes. I prefer to follow the opinions of a compilation of many smart people and take into account what I have seen in practice over the last 20 years as well. One of the big concerns and debates in our industry is the specific or not-so-specific?? link to adjuvant vs non-adjuvant vaccines causing FISS in cats. For the most recent "opinions" from the advisory panel of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), ie. a compilation of many smart people who are specialists in the field of feline medicine, click the following link below to see current vaccine "cautions":
Important!:
If you see a lump develop at the site where vaccines were given please let us know. The AAFP recommends monitoring of the lump at home and that we take a biopsy of the lump and send it out to a veterinary pathologist IF the lump:
(a) persists for 3 months or longer after injection
(b) ever becomes larger than 2 cm in diameter
or (c) continues to increase in size 1 month after injection or vaccine was given
Early intervention is vital to treatment and possible cure of the cancer that develops with FISS. Surgery is the only possible cure for this disease and late intervention can make treatment impossible because of the aggressive nature of this cancer. Follow these guidelines and let us know immediately if any of the above occur. Waiting is not a reasonable option with this rare disease.
If you see a lump develop at the site where vaccines were given please let us know. The AAFP recommends monitoring of the lump at home and that we take a biopsy of the lump and send it out to a veterinary pathologist IF the lump:
(a) persists for 3 months or longer after injection
(b) ever becomes larger than 2 cm in diameter
or (c) continues to increase in size 1 month after injection or vaccine was given
Early intervention is vital to treatment and possible cure of the cancer that develops with FISS. Surgery is the only possible cure for this disease and late intervention can make treatment impossible because of the aggressive nature of this cancer. Follow these guidelines and let us know immediately if any of the above occur. Waiting is not a reasonable option with this rare disease.
Porter Pet Hospital Carries Both Forms of Vaccine:
The reason that we offer both is many. First, is that the link is not defined and risk, though very small, is present with any vaccine or injection given whether that be simple malaise or mass formation. Second, cost of non-adjuvant vaccines is higher, especially with the current approved 3 year feline non-adjuvant rabies vaccine, and this difference in price for the small risk and questionable link, may not make financial sense for some owners. Also, for those people that rescue, foster or have a large number of cats in their home, benefits of a lower cost vaccine often far outweighs the slight increase in risk that MAY be associated with an adjuvanted vaccine. Also, in some situations, such as cats who have immunosuppressive disease such as FeLV (Feline Leukemia) and FIV (Feline Aids), or kittens at high risk younger than 6 weeks of age, vaccination with a killed adjuvanted vaccine is SAFER. Again, it is balancing Risk and Benefit, as well as Cost. See our Pricing Page for Adjuvant VS Non-adjuvant Pricing:
The reason that we offer both is many. First, is that the link is not defined and risk, though very small, is present with any vaccine or injection given whether that be simple malaise or mass formation. Second, cost of non-adjuvant vaccines is higher, especially with the current approved 3 year feline non-adjuvant rabies vaccine, and this difference in price for the small risk and questionable link, may not make financial sense for some owners. Also, for those people that rescue, foster or have a large number of cats in their home, benefits of a lower cost vaccine often far outweighs the slight increase in risk that MAY be associated with an adjuvanted vaccine. Also, in some situations, such as cats who have immunosuppressive disease such as FeLV (Feline Leukemia) and FIV (Feline Aids), or kittens at high risk younger than 6 weeks of age, vaccination with a killed adjuvanted vaccine is SAFER. Again, it is balancing Risk and Benefit, as well as Cost. See our Pricing Page for Adjuvant VS Non-adjuvant Pricing: