Posts Tagged ‘ sarcoma ’

Photographs of Feline Injection-Site Sarcoma (VAS) Surgery

September 28, 2012

Ms. Kitty after surgery

Note: this post contains graphic photos of the removal of a large injection-site tumor (a vaccine-associated sarcoma) from a stray cat, Ms. Kitty.

Jill Kirsh of Cripple Creek Ferals and Friends writes: I operate a cat rescue focusing on TNR (trap, neuter, return) and special needs animals.  I received a call about a stray cat “missing an eye with a lump on her side.” Her lump turned out to be a VAS: vaccine-associated sarcoma, also call FISS, feline injection-site sarcoma. 

I was not even able to cup my hand around the tumor; it had erupted.   She was immediately taken to the local vet and was told there was nothing that could be done, that surgery was not recommended.  I opted for a second opinion with my former vet who now practices an hour away.   He promptly declared the lump needed to come off if we wanted to try to save her.  Surgery was scheduled for the following day.  

As you can see from the photos, the incision was quite extensive.  The incision began to open up between her shoulders and several visits to the local vet as well as the emergency clinic resulted in a “nothing can be done” response. 

Another hour long trip to the surgeon and Ms. Kitty was stitched back up and is doing as well as can be expected.  She has had urinary issues as far as urinating a lot with blood in it.  Two urinalysis finally showed an infection.  The surgeon believes a stone caused the bleeding and surgery is not an option.  Her urine seems to be clearing up somewhat.  All of her bloodwork came back normal, thyroid levels normal and no diabetes. 

Ms. Kitty has proven what a little survivor she is!  I know a lot of people felt she should have been euthanized but she has been worth every minute of worry and frustration!  I hope Ms. Kitty finally understands the love, warmth and compassion her humans feel for her. 

Update 9/26/12: She went to the vet today and is now on different antibiotics to hopefully help with the blood in the urine and also to help the incision heal.  The vet fears that if there is no improvement in a couple days the tumor may be coming back already.  I sincerely hope that is not the case; she has come so far! 

Another update: She went to the vet yesterday (different one) and is on different antibiotics, pain meds and cosequin to help with the inflammation of the UTI.  She peed clear today!  The incision is not doing well and the vet is worried if she does not respond to the new drugs that the tumor may be returning already. I certainly hope she is wrong! 

9/28/12: Finally!!  Some good news to report on Ms. Kitty!  (I hope I am not jinxing it!)  She is peeing normal amounts of clear urine in the box!  Her incision is looking much better but when she moves it “squeaks” or sounds like a fart.  Making a call to the vet to make sure that is ok?  She still has some drainage (clear) from it but nowhere near as much as before.  Her appetite is great and much more active.  You can tell she feels better!  Hope it continues!

See more photos on Jill Kirsh’s Facebook page. Surgery photos:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.496967936997425.123843.100000526683577&type=1&l=6695bbc9f5  Photos when I first got her:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.495164653844420.123265.100000526683577&type=1&l=9291de0887

 

Tumor being removed from Ms. Kitty

 

Feline Injection-Site Sarcoma: The Battles of Kitty Kat

August 2, 2012

Kitty Kat

Time from diagnosis to death….four months. Cost of treatment……$6,800.

 
Angel Kitty Kat Gonzalez was a beautiful and sweet long haired Tortoiseshell cat. I had never owned a cat before Kitty Kat showed up on my doorstep in the fall of 2003. When I took my pets (I have a dachshund too) to the veterinarian for wellness or illness visits I never questioned their care or treatment. I was naive in believing that my veterinarian was up to date on the latest and best medical care. I believed they loved my fur babies as much as I did.

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Does My Cat Really Need Another Vaccine? by Shawn Messionier, DVM

July 29, 2012

Dr. Shawn Messonier

When you get the annual reminder from your veterinarian this year telling you that it’s time for your cat’s booster vaccinations, ask yourself the following question: does my cat really need another set of vaccinations? While it’s important to have ongoing preventive health care for your cat, annual vaccinations may not necessarily be part of their preventive care. In this article I’ll share with you a more natural option to the standard recommendation of annual vaccines. 

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Canine Vaccine Injection-site Sarcoma

July 18, 2012

Zsazsa before the tumor erupted

Zsazsa, Angela Moran’s much-loved Chihuahua, developed an injection-site tumor after rabies vaccination.

Angela writing Monday, October 12, 2009

I had to have my Zsazsa put down this past week. The vet who helped me care for her said the only way to determine 100% her cancer was from the rabies vaccine was to do a biopsy. We agreed to have it done just for our piece of mind and to have her count if this vaccine caused her death. Dr. Amy went to the company who created the vaccine … and she feels the vaccine caused it and explained we have her brother who we are concerned about as well. [The manufacturer] has agreed to pay for the biospy and claim they have no reports of this vaccine causing this cancer in dogs. They are interested in the results. I applaud the Dr for contacting the company and getting them to agree to pay. She warned we couldn’t sue the company but it’s not about that, it’s about the dangers of the rabies vaccine and the numbers not being accurate.

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Vaccination – One Vet’s Perspective

May 25, 2012

By Jean Hofve, DVM

Vaccination is an ongoing controversy in veterinary medicine today. Veterinary schools and specialty organizations are promoting fewer vaccines at longer intervals, while many practitioners stubbornly cling to their annual booster schedules. Who’s right, and what’s the truth?

The Science Behind Vaccines

As a responsible pet caretaker, you probably take your animal companion to the vet every year for a check-up and “shots.” You probably get one or more reminder postcards about it! But while an annual check-up is still vitally important for your pet’s health, vaccination—how many and which ones—is a stormy controversy among veterinarians.

Until recently, vaccinations were considered harmless and beneficial. But today, scientific evidence proves that there are many potential harmful effects.

Most common vaccines are made using a “modified live virus” (MLV), which means that the virus is alive and can replicate in the animal’s body, but has been modified so it does not cause disease, or at least not severe disease. Read more »

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