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.
To Adjuvant or to Non-Adjuvant, that is the question
And its a good question at that! To start, an adjuvant is a part of a vaccine that creates a stronger immune response. This can be an integral part of a vaccines efficacy and in most cases, as with humans and dogs, it is incredibly safe. However, cats like to be different and one such case of this is with there reaction to injections. This is referred to as VAS (Vaccine Associated Sarcoma), VSS (Vaccine Site Sarcoma) or FISS (Feline Injection Site Sarcoma). We use the term FISS because we now know that many injections, not just vaccines, can induce tissue inflammation and potentially cause a sarcoma. This is rare, but is more likely to occur when Adjuvanted vaccines are used.
Non-Adjuvanted vaccines, as the name suggest, do not contain the provoking ingredient. Instead, these vaccines are formulated to be just as effective without it. There is a trade off, however, and that is the price. It does cost more to make non-adjuvanted vaccines. This trade off is an important consideration.
And its a good question at that! To start, an adjuvant is a part of a vaccine that creates a stronger immune response. This can be an integral part of a vaccines efficacy and in most cases, as with humans and dogs, it is incredibly safe. However, cats like to be different and one such case of this is with there reaction to injections. This is referred to as VAS (Vaccine Associated Sarcoma), VSS (Vaccine Site Sarcoma) or FISS (Feline Injection Site Sarcoma). We use the term FISS because we now know that many injections, not just vaccines, can induce tissue inflammation and potentially cause a sarcoma. This is rare, but is more likely to occur when Adjuvanted vaccines are used.
Non-Adjuvanted vaccines, as the name suggest, do not contain the provoking ingredient. Instead, these vaccines are formulated to be just as effective without it. There is a trade off, however, and that is the price. It does cost more to make non-adjuvanted vaccines. This trade off is an important consideration.
Why we only carry Non-Adjuvanted Vaccines:
While there is a slight increase in price to use higher quality vaccines, we believe that the benefit of higher safety is worth it. There are instances where taking a low cost approach makes sense, even when considering feline vaccination. However, we highly value safety, efficacy and delivering the best medicine reasonably available. This is why we only carry non-adjuvanted feline vaccines when available.
While there is a slight increase in price to use higher quality vaccines, we believe that the benefit of higher safety is worth it. There are instances where taking a low cost approach makes sense, even when considering feline vaccination. However, we highly value safety, efficacy and delivering the best medicine reasonably available. This is why we only carry non-adjuvanted feline vaccines when available.
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
(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
(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.