Cats, shots, & cancer

06-27-2006, 08:37 AM

I was just informed by a co-worker today that cats are no longer given shots in the back due to the risk of cancer. Just yesterday, my vet gave my cat a rabies shot & distemper shot in her back! I am so nervous now. Does anyone know any more information about this? What are the risks? My cat is an indoor cat. Does she really need to be vaccinated every year???

Mollymitten · 06-27-2006, 12:17 PM

Perhaps you could call your vet and discuss this?

jennawing · 06-27-2006, 02:20 PM

Cats can be at risk for injection site tumors. I always make sure my cats are given injections in the thigh and not the back. In the slim chance a tumor does occur as the result of an injection, they can live without a leg if it comes to that. You really should not worry, though- if your cat had no reaction to the shot- inflamation or allergy- then there really is nothing to fear. The chances of a cat developing injection-site sarcoma are about 1 in 10,000.

suzoo · 06-27-2006, 05:12 PM

I just had a little panic with this issue recently. I had my Yorkie vaccinated for rabies and it was done in the rear leg area. She developed a lump and it took at least 6 weeks to go away. The Vet at work told me if it wasn't gone in a month to get it checked by my own Vet but it had shrunk considerably by then. Koko hasn't ever had a reaction like that before & I'm thinking it may have been b/c it was a 3 yr vaccine (though I'm not sure)..
So if I was you, I would try not to panic but maybe read up on the subject and next time your cat needs vaccines, ask your Vet to do it in the leg instead of the scruff... just to be on the safe side.

Chris · 07-27-2006, 11:03 PM

You know I've read quite a bit about our cats and dogs in this country being over-vaccinated, because of the profit-driven pharmaceutical industry. I think you ought to read up on the natural vets recommendations. They recommend full tests and shots in the beginning, but not the yearly boosters that so many cats and dogs are being given. They think that these cause many of the illnesses that the vets have to treat - due to overvaccination of their system. I believe them and I am not giving my guys yearly vaccines now. And they seem much healthier since I took this approach. You may have some holistic vets in your area that you could take your kitty too. There is much to learn about diet and feeding healthy pet food, which you've probably already read about that on this board. Just my thoughts.

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suzoo · 07-27-2006, 11:11 PM

You're absolutely correct Chris.. I know someone who works for a Holistic Vet.. You can get a titre done to check the necessity for vaccines.. most vaccines last at least 3 yrs and some are longer.. My Vet recommends every 3 years now...

Chris · 07-29-2006, 11:30 PM

Yes I read about the vets being able to check the titres to determine if they need a vaccine. I know there is strong disagreement between holistic vets and conventional vets about this, but I think the holistic vets make more sense. We've had some people write letters to the local papers about taking their pet into have their shots given at the vet's office, and they developed a bad reaction or got sick from them. One lady took her dog to the vet to have a rabies shot given and she said he died the next day. I do however think that antibiotics work very well and other conventional medicines are fine and I mostly go to regular vets, I just don't trust constant vaccines being given, probably a profit making thing.

Melissa22 · 07-30-2006, 10:00 PM

I have never heard that before! Whenever my cat gets an injection, it's always done in the shoulder area (as far as I can remember), where the skin is loose.

Now I'm worried about kitties getting cancer!

Melissa

Banshee · 07-31-2006, 11:31 AM

I was impressed with my vets - they talk to each client and assess each individual cat's situation and decide which vaccinations they need and which they can do without. For instance, my guys are all indoor cats so they don't need the feline leukemia or the rabies. However, they get needled for airborne things, to protect them from other cats whilst at the vet.

However, I get those needles every year. I must look into it to see if they don't really need them every single year.

Chris · 08-09-2006, 10:34 PM

I just found this company tonight and it sounds really good, they have lots of natural products, some I haven't seen elsewhere, I know Aubrey Organics is a well-established company that makes natural care products for people and apparently for pets too. They have alot of good links there too, and articles on the pet food companies and the quality of their foods.
I've been looking for some lotions for itchy skin and hot spots for my dog and cat, which is how I found them.
Http://www.naturespet.com/groom.html

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