>given in the hind leg, so that if there is any sign of cancer due to the
>vaccine the whole leg can be amputated.
 
that may be the rationale that is in favor with vaccinating cats today.
Cats have a rare but tragic ability to develop highly malignant neoplasms
at the site of vaccination - this phenomenon developed in the early 1990's
and we still don't really know why.  Because of the malignant nature of
these tumors, amputation is usually required.  Current thinking is that
intramuscular injection may actually be more protective.
 
In ferrets, however, this same reaction has not been seen (actually one
has been reported in the literature), so the question is generally not
applicable.  In ferrets, injection into the muscle may be associated with
more pain, but due to the more vascular nature of the area, absorption is
better, and the chance of a reaction is less.
 
The scruff is a site of subcutaneous vaccination, and has a higher chance
of poor absorption and formation of a local inflammatory nodule.  However,
it doesn't hurt as much, it is easier to control the ferret, and there is
a diminished chance of hitting a nerve (the hind leg has a large sciatic
nerve which if hit, may result in significant loss of function in the leg.)
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
 
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[Posted in FML issue 3419]