fibrosarcoma

[miakitty]

My cat was diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma tumor last spring (the kind of tumor that is believed to be from vaccine injections).  We decided not to do surgery becuase it was very invasive and did not have a high sucess rate.  The tumor's size is now bigger than a plum, but smaller than a baseball.  It is on her back, below her shoulderblade.  In the last 2 days, I've noticed that it has begun to open slightly - as if she has been itching it or it is beginning to "pop" through  (I haven't seen her itch it, but I am at work during the day).  It is not an open would yet - is there anything that you know I can do to prevent it from becoming one?  Is there any type of ointment I could but on it?  I'm kind of lost on this.  I know the vet said that if the tumor opens and becomes infected, she will need to be put asleep, but I want to put that off as long as possible since she still really enjoys life.  Thanks for your help.

[opus88]

thank you so much for reporting your findings and for doing the digging to get an answer!!!

I am so sorry for the loss of your dear kitty....its heartbreaking to read of the loss of so many from these vaccine related sarcomas. I'm glad you acted quickly at the first sign of pain and didn't allow him to suffer, its always hard to make that final call, but you did so with his best interest at heart because you loved him. again my condolences♥

[Cat_lover1]

Our cat was diagnosed in Sept 2013 with cancer from leukemia vaccinations—it was his left hip.  I found on the UC Davis site:  
Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines
UC DAVIS VMTH CANINE AND FELINE VACCINATION GUIDELINES    (Revised 11/12)
In general, guidelines for vaccination of cats have been strongly influenced by the appearance of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats, and in particular their epidemiologic association with feline leukemia virus vaccines and killed rabies virus vaccines. Thus, there is clear evidence for minimizing frequency of vaccination in cats. The recommendations below have been made in light of the AVMA/AAHA/AAFP/VCS task force recommendations on vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats. Risk factors for sarcomas should be discussed with cat owners at the time of examination. If a cat develops a palpable granuloma at the site of previous vaccination, the benefits vs risks of future vaccinations should be carefully considered. All vaccine-associated sarcomas should be reported to the vaccine manufacturer.
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/small_animal/internal_medicine/newsletters/vaccination_protocols.cfm

• Over the next five months the tumor grew, hard and lumpy.
• One month ago our cat’s cancer tumor site lost all its fur, and had an open wound.  As the weeks went on, more wounds opened, bleeding at first, and then constantly leaking lymph fluid, clear, reddish fluid.  A week before we put our cat down, the site began to stink from the rotting flesh.
• Despite all this, our cat seemed okay otherwise. He had been energetic, purring, jumping into our laps, and eating well up to two days before we put him down.
• We had our cat euthanized two days ago.  Although he had been energetic, purring, jumping into our laps, and eating well up through Sunday.  But Monday and Tuesday he stopped eating and just lay in the back of our closet.
• When I first called our vet about euthanizing, they quoted us over $150 to bring the cat in, euthanizing the cat, cremation, and exam. And close to $300 if the vet came to our home.
• I felt angry and appalled that they were charging us when it was the vaccines they had administered to our cat that CAUSED the cancer.
• They had either lied or misspoke about not knowing the manufacturer of the vaccine.  The day we euthanized our cat, my husband talked with the head vet who said they DID know the manufacturer and it was Pfizer.
• The same day, I spoke to the manager and even though the vet had said that, she persisted in saying “we have no way of knowing what manufacturer it was.”
• The manager also said she didn’t know the UC Davis site said clinics should tell their customers the risks of vaccinations. I told her I would have wanted to know, and weigh for myself the risks of vaccinating or not my indoor-outdoor cat.
• When I spoke to the manager I asked for waiving the fee, or alternatively at least meeting us halfway.  They did reduce the cost (of euthanizing the cat, cremation, and decided to forgo the exam) by half

[Mosi_mom]

From what I've read it can just be inflammation at this point and the odds are in favor of it going down. It can take up to a few months. Did your vet say to watch it for a few weeks to see if it gets bigger or smaller? I wouldn't call it fiborsarcoma until there is a biopsy and tested. What a scary and anxious time for you! I'm so sorry.

[RemiD]

This is heartbreaking.  My kitten, 10 months old, developed what we thought was an abscess in her neck area very quickly.  We noticed it on Wednesday evening and got her in to see her vet that Saturday.  He took an aspiration, found some dried blood and clear fluid. He wanted to put in drains, still thinking it was an abscess.  I took her in on Monday to have the procedure.  This time the doctor couldn't get anything.  He thinks that it's probably fibrosarcoma.  She's running a temp of 104, still eating, going to the bathroom, playing, etc.  From everything I've been reading her outlook isn't good.  I've had cats my entire life and have never had anything like this happen because of a vaccination!  Has anyone pursued getting help from the manufacturer?  If so, what were the results?

[Mosi_mom]

I'm curious as to the timing between the last vaccine given and then finding the VAS lump.
The average age of the cats here seem to be around 10 years old.

Did you faithfully vaccinate every year? Or can you point to that one time you had to vaccinate because your cat needed teeth cleaned or was sick and vet wouldn't treat unless vaccinated?

[opus88]

hi...good for you trying to get informed. as much as vaccines can lead to sarcomas all the Vets really do recommend you get the first set at least and many Vets will say that is good for a lifetime of protection. Its the 'adjuvanted' vaccines such as Rabies and FeLv that are the most dangerous, so when getting a booster ask for a NON-adjuvanted booster for the FeLv or go with the intranasal.

I'm sorry I'm really not informed on the intranasal choice since its not avail where I live, but I would think it would be much safer due to there not being an inoculation site for a tumor to develop. have a good talk with your Vet abt this choice but I do recommend you do get the boosters, as long as  your cat is an indoor only kitty than that should be all she ever needs.