>From:    "Deborah W. Kemmerer, DVM" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: vaccine debate
>However: I treat canine parvovirus and canine distemper on a regular basis,
>losing quite a few patients. The incidence of vaccine-induced disease is
>estimated to be about one in ten thousand. I've been in practice 18 years,
>and I've seen exactly one case of feline vaccine sarcoma. There isn't even
>a question in my mind which risk I'll take with my animals.
 
I am one of those owners affected by the "one in ten thousand" cases of
feline vaccine sarcoma.  Once you have experienced it with one of your
pets, you do reconsider your vaccine protocol.  The statistics don't have
much meaning if you are the one affected.
 
It is my understanding that it is the adjuvant in the vaccine, not the
vaccine itself that is the likely cause of the sarcoma.  My reaction to
this situation has not been to stop vaccinating my cats (or dogs or
ferrets), but rather to seek out a feline FRCP vaccine that does not
contain and adjuvant.  As my cats are indoor only animals, I no longer
vaccinate for rabies.  I feel this is an acceptable risk in my particular
household.  My ferrets and dogs receive both distemper (combos for the
dogs) and rabies vaccinations as recommended by my vets.
 
I just found out that there is an intranasal rabies vaccine available that
does not contain and adjuvant, so I may be able to reconsider vaccinating
my cats for rabies again.
 
For the record, I've seen many animals die horrible deaths from distemper
and parvo.  I am a wildlife rehabber and we see raccoons, skunks, foxes,
coyotes, etc.  with distemper and parvo.
 
I would not consider not vaccinating my animals either.  Maybe you need to
see the disease kill an animal before you realize how serious and how awful
it is.
 
Kim
West Michigan Wildlife Rescue
[Posted in FML issue 2431]