I just got a new kitten and he had his first rabies shot on 3/20. He now has a lump the size of a small pea at the injection site (rear right thigh) and a lump the size of a coffee bean in the fleshy part of his lack leg. I first notices the lumps on 3/29 and they have not gotten any smaller. I am sooo scared that something serious is wrong with my kitten! If I knew then what I know now, I would never had gotten him vaccianted for rabies! My other cats have always been fine (but I also had no knowledge of cancer risks). Do these lumpos from the first shot ever go away? Do they always become cancer? My vet did not seem concerned when I presented him with the lumps on 4/1/04, just said we would not give the vaccine again.
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
Rabies Reation
AstiLover
Apr 12, 2004 09:45 AM
Replies (3)
PHMadameAlto
Apr 12, 2004 06:29 PM
Very often a lump will form at the injection site, but usually will go away after a while. At this point in time, the kitten should be examined just to be sure all is OK. If your own vet won't do this, then seek out another one who will.
Lumps from VAS tend to form about three weeks after the shot, not immediately after. However there are exceptions to every rule and it is better to be safe than sorry.
Good luck! Let us know what the vet says.
-----
AstiLover
Apr 13, 2004 08:47 AM
I did take him to the vet the next day following my discovery of the lumps. He had received the vaccine about 12 days prior to my finding the lumps. He has now had them for about 3 weeks. Does anyone know how long it can take for these to go away if they are just a reaction , or at what point in time I should get even more concerned than I am now(which is extrememly concerned). He has a followup visit on 4/17, but I have no experience in this and need to know some kind of time frame to give the lumps a chance to go away. The vet is not that forthcoming on info. Some days they actually feel bigger, then they get smaller again. I'm all in knots as to what to think and do. Thanks 
PHMadameAlto
Apr 13, 2004 07:00 PM
Since you already have a vet appointment scheduled, at this point it would be best to go ahead and have the kitten rexamined, but be prepared to question your vet long and hard about why he/she seems unconcerned about VAS. If your vet is still not forthcoming, then you'll need to seek out a second opinion ASAP - perhaps you could go ahead and make an appointment now - preferably with a feline only vet.
Here is what one site, says about your question of timing:
Complete surgical resection is recommended for injection site masses that persist for longer than two to three months after vaccination, are increasing in size over one month after vaccination, or are greater than 2 centimeters in diameter.
This is a page with a large number of links to VAS sites. If you check them out, you might be able to print up a few as a basis of discussion when you go to the vets on Saturday.
catvaccines.netfirms.com/vas.htm
Good luck! Keep us posted. That kitty is surely a sweetie! Also talk to your vet about using Purevax vaccines in the future!
-----
