Cat vaccines can lead to cancer!

Did you know that VACCINATIONS, which we get to protect our cats, could actually lead to CANCER? I had never heard of this until June of this year.

My 8-year-old cat, Jack, was diagnosed with Vaccination-Associated Sarcoma (VAS) on June 25, 2002. He has rapidly growing tumors on his shoulder. This cancer developed from a leukemia vaccination that he received a year before. Our vet oncologist gave him 3 to 6 months to live.

Rather than proceed with typical radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy, I have decided to let him live the rest of his life without that kind of discomfort. Instead, I am treating him with holistic treatments, including IP-6 and Cansema.

In order to get the word out about this terrible disease, I created a website that basically is just a web directory with links to information about vaccination-associated sarcoma (VAS). I hope you will visit it to learn more about VAS. I don't want anyone else to have to go through what I am now going through.

The website is: http://catvaccines.netfirms.com

Thanks for listening,
David Blue

I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. Unfortunately many many animals died because of our horrible overvaccination and the greed of large corporations BUT they did not die in vain. You'll be happy to know that all 27 vet schools in North America are now changing to more safe and limited vaccination protocols.

I'll check out your site. Have you see the info at www.critterfixer.com ? Very useful stuff.

David, it is a sad fact that this can happen. I am sorry for your loss I can imagine how it crushed you because you thought you were doing the right thing.

Vaccinating is an individual choice, some choose to do it and others do not. I do not fault either choice, I lost a cat many years ago because of a vaccine and it stunned me.

Here is another website that you might have much in common with.The people who run it are really nice and might like to hear from you.

Sylvia's Journey

I had Peppurr vaccinated in October 2002. Not even 2 weeks after his shots (Leukemia, Distemper Combo), he starting throwing up and got diarrhea. He was sneezing and coughing, I felt so sorry for him since I knew that they could develop Vaccinosis. I have also heard that the Leukemia Vaccine can cause major problems. Peppurr doesn't go outside but the vet insisted we go through with it. When my kitten Hercules goes in and gets neutered and tattoed, I AM NOT getting him vaccinated against Leukemia. I think it's pointless (if your cat lives indoors) and very dangerous (the side effects). Hissy is right, it is an individual choice, I totally agree with that.

David,

I'm very sorry to hear about this. It is a matter of individual choice. My two cats are vaccinated against cat 'flu and cat enteritis,as they go outside, but not leukemia, as my vet advised against it as it is not prevalent in this area. His view is that if he does get a case reported, he will inform everyone on his list and leave the decision to vaccinate to them.

That sounds like a great vet!

I agree, it is a personal choice, and I'm glad information is getting out there so we, with our vets help, can decide what is best for each individual pet, based on many factors.

My vet is truly wonderful! I'm so pleased we registered with him. We lost a cat 6 years ago to a virus, and Mr. Butler, our vet, was so good. He knows us and our cats very well.

Thanks for everyone's reply. The posters from England and Australia bring up a good point -

from what I have read, Vaccine-associated Sarcoma is virtually non-existent in the UK. I'm not sure about Australia, but I would assume as well.

This, to me, definitely points to the vaccines themselves and not to the practice of injecting anything into the scruff of a cat.

I agree totally with everyone - it is definitely a personal choice - my point is to educate people and let them know the dangers and risks.

Also if you choose to get your cat vaccinated, please don't let them inject anything into the scruff of the neck. The tail is best (though most vets won't do this), but the hind legs are a good choice.

Thanks,
David Blue

P.S. By the way, Jack has just started his 7th month of life since his diagnosis back at the end of June 2002. This is significant since at that time, the vet oncologist gave him 4-6 months to live. I have been treating him with holistic medicines only - Cansema and IP-6 and his original tumors went away but new ones are forming now. He's doing quite well, however.

I've heard that there are two reasons VAS are less common in Australia....

1) We don't vaccinate for rabies
2) Our cats "may" be genetically less prone to such cancers.

Neither of which I am saying is true, this is just a theory I've heard by a couple of vets here.

I personally think it's disgusting that the vaccine manufacturers are still pushing for annual vaccinations. It's totally unnecessary. A cat vaccinated every 3 years is just as protected, and in my opinion, vaccinating annually is just too risky. I love my cats too much to take that risk anymore, so mine get done every 3 years, as my vet has recommended.

Julia.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I JUST found this thread and am TOTALLY wigging out! PLEASE explain to me how this can cause cancer! I tried to go to the first website provided in the first post and that is not even there anymore

Ashley and Cleo only get the regular shots. I think there are some that are once a year? Then the rabies is once every three years. Holy cow! I am dying here!!! I can't go through another death with a cat so soon!

2 out of my 3 cats get a single, combined jab every six months.

Do you think this would be considered to frequent? I have to admit this is the first I've heard of this risk so might it be down to the rabies dosage. We (technically) don't have rabies here so there is no immunization against it.

Also, my cat's health insurance is contengent on them getting their boosters. So I don't want to stop unless there is a very good reason.

David - I'm so sorry to hear of Jack's illness.It's very sweet of you to care so very much as to commence alternative therapy. I do hope this gives Jack a better quality of life for the time he has left.

Hi Yola,

Why are you vaccinating every 6 months? Is that what your insurance policy stipulates? I've never heard of doing vaccinations more than once a year. Although I was recently reading on a dog site that the canine "distemper" (I think) vaccine has been shown not to last a year.

I think the "type" of vaccine used also plays a part in how often. A modified live vaccine is going to have a better, and more long term effect than a killed vaccine. I gather it's common in America to use the modified live vaccine, here in Australia, the killed is more popular.

Now, from what I've heard...the problem is with what is called the adjuvant in the vaccination. Don't quote me on this, but I think the adjuvant stimulates the cat's cells to the site of the injection quicker, so there is a faster immune response...or something like that. However, what I don't understand is why America would have a higher rate of injection site sarcomas than Australia because the adjuvant is in the killed vaccine. That's where I get confused.

I've also heard it's best to avoid multi dose vaccines. Ie: where the vet has a large bottle with the vaccine in it, with several doses. I "think" there "may" be a problem if the ingredients aren't mixed up prior to the vet taking a dose out of the bottle.

But, as you can see, a lot of what I'm saying is speculation & me guessing. But certainly I've heard adjuvant thrown around quite a lot, and know that's been suggested as a cause of the problems.

There's some links to vaccine related websites below.

http://www.cat-world.com/Healthl-z.htm#Vaccines

Julia.

These has been out for a few years. they are made without the aluminum adjuvant that is thought to be the main reason for vaccinosarcoma risk.

I buy them from Revivalanimal.com "Felo-guard" the description of the vaccine specifies non-adjuvant. you can also get the FeLeuk vaccine this way, and the rabies but it is only for one year.

Since I do a LOT of fostering, I vaccinate my cats for just about everything. Rabies is very prevalent here in NC, and the vaccine required by law. I don't have a problem with that. I've seen rabid animals, it is not a disease you want to mess with and I'd hate to have a rat or something get into the house & bite one of my guys. the chances are slim, but there are there. As is the chance of one slipping by me one morning, or a natural disaser (we have hurricanes & nasty windstorms here) damaging my house and the cats getting out.

I'm kind of surprised that no one else has posted about the non-adjuvant vaccines!

I am told, by my vet, that the risk of vaccinosarcoma is 1 in 5,000. I'd take that risk to protect against these often fatal cat diseases!
I don't know what the stats are on the new non-adjuvant vaccines.


Bendy's mom

Hi Bendy,

Oh, I haven't heard of the non adjuvant vaccines. I'm in Australia, from what I know, we only have two vaccine suppliers. One is Fort Dodge, the other is an Aussie company. CSL or something like that. I'll have to ask my vet about this. Thanks

Julia.

Misha,

Great link to the website on vaccines! I've bookmarked it for future reference. There is a huge amount of info on there!

Thanks!

Thanks It's my site. I don't want to flaunt it because it wouldn't be fair on the owner of this site to use her boards to promote the site, but sometimes it's handy to be able to provide links & stuff.

Julia.

http://www.critterfixer.com is a great site with tons of vaccine info. I think it's important info to read and discuss with your vet. All my pets are vaccinated based on the pros and cons specific to our area and their lifestyles.

It is called FeloGuard.
I just got a shipment of it yesterday!

Bendy

Thanks Bendy, I didn't know that. I'll ask my vet about it when I see him tomorrow

Julia.