Cornell Feline Health Center

November 2000

Dear Practitioner,

I am privileged to serve on the Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force (VAFSTF), and in that capacity I have the opportunity to hear from many clients whose cats have suffered from vaccine-associated sarcomas. Many report that their veterinarians have been extremely helpful and supportive throughout their ordeal and that they were informed of the remote risk of a vaccine-associated sarcoma before their cats were vaccinated. But many others are enraged at their veterinarian, citing the following reasons:

·          Their veterinarian failed to alert them of the risk of vaccine-associated sarcomas before vaccination. (In a recent survey of clients with affected cats, fewer than 6% reported that their veterinarian informed them of the risk.)

·          They were not advised to monitor the vaccine site and to notify their veterinarian if a swelling was detected, thereby delaying diagnosis.

·          They believed their cat was vaccinated in a site that made complete removal of the tumor impossible.

·          They felt their cat received a vaccine it didn't need.

·          They were not given the opportunity to approve their cat's vaccination.

Clearly, it would have been beneficial if these clients' veterinarians had addressed this sensitive issue before vaccination rather than trying to explain it afterwards. Understandably, most of us find it extremely difficult to discuss the risks associated with vaccination. To ease the task, VAFSTF developed the enclosed client education brochure, Vaccines and Sarcomas: A Concern for Cat Owners.

This brochure was updated earlier this year and can be ordered directly from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, or the Cornell Feline Health Center. I've enclosed a Cornell Feline Health Center client education brochure order form for your convenience.

I hope you find this tool helpful. If you have suggestions for other ways the Cornell Feline Health Center or VAFSTF can assist you in continuing to deliver the best medical care possible, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Dr. James R. Richards

Director, Cornell Feline Health Center Education/Communication Subgroup Chair, VAFSTF

Cornell Feline Health Center Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Ithaca, New York 14853
                               (607)253-3414          FAX (607) 253-3419