Prevention of Feline Injection-Site Sarcomas: Is There a Scientific Foundation for Vaccine Recommendations at This Time?

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2018 Mar;48(2):301-306. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2017.10.007. Epub 2017 Dec 6.

Abstract

Recently published guidelines have made specific vaccine recommendations purported to potentially reduce the incidence of feline injection-site sarcomas (FISS). These recommendations have largely been based on experimental models of inflammation under different vaccine formulations. In none of these studies did sarcomas occur. It is scientifically untenable to address FISS risk based on propensity of vaccines to elicit differential inflammatory responses if none of those responses led to sarcoma development. Although the recommendations may ultimately be found to be prescient and valid, it will take considerable additional research before this can happen. Until then, such guidelines must be regarded with skepticism.

Keywords: Adverse reactions; Cat; Injection-site sarcoma; Vaccines.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bias
  • Cat Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Cat Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Cats
  • Injection Site Reaction / prevention & control
  • Injection Site Reaction / veterinary*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sarcoma / chemically induced
  • Sarcoma / prevention & control
  • Sarcoma / veterinary*
  • Vaccination / adverse effects
  • Vaccination / methods
  • Vaccination / veterinary*
  • Vaccines / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Vaccines