Vaccine site-associated sarcomas in cats: clinical experience and a laboratory review (1982-1993)

Recent information regarding vaccine site-associated sarcomas in cats suggest a relationship to either feline leukemia virus or rabies vaccines. The authors' initial case was in a cat that had received neither of these vaccines. Review of the available hospital records revealed an increasing number of vaccine site-associated sarcomas, none of which were related to feline leukemia virus vaccines. Only one was related to the use of a rabies vaccine, and this tumor occurred in the thigh as opposed to between the shoulder blades. The laboratory data supported an increasing incidence of vaccine site-associated sarcomas, the majority of which occurred in the interscapular area and were associated with routine prophylactic vaccinations.