Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

Does anyone know about a new FELV vaccine? My neighbor took her cat in for her annual vaccinations and the vet gave her a different vaccine for FELV. She used an airgun instead of a needle. It is supposed to be safer by reducing the incidence of vaccine-associated sarcoma. I have never heard of it, so I was curious to know if anyone else knows about it.

ellen

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ellen
gracie & voodoo (& Puss 'n Boots)

>>Hi,
>>
>>Does anyone know about a new FELV vaccine? My neighbor took her cat in for her annual vaccinations and the vet gave her a different vaccine for FELV. She used an airgun instead of a needle. It is supposed to be safer by reducing the incidence of vaccine-associated sarcoma. I have never heard of it, so I was curious to know if anyone else knows about it.
>>
>>ellen
>>
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>>ellen
>>gracie & voodoo (& Puss 'n Boots)

This is the first I've heard of it. I'll see if I can find out more information. Perhaps someone else has heard of it...?
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

What is an airgun?
Does the vaccine go in by airways?
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

>>What is an airgun?
>>Does the vaccine go in by airways?
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>>Jaime owned by
>>Mya the dog
>>and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

No, Jaime, I think it means that air pressure is used to push the vaccine solution under the skin instead of using a needle. Why this is better, I don't know. My neigbor's vet said the cats really hate it because it makes a loud noise, so they don't know if they will keep offering it. However, if it is safer, it might be worth it.
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ellen
gracie & voodoo (& Puss 'n Boots)

I don't see how that would be saver. Guess I'm going to go do some research.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

It is made by Merial and is called Transcutaneous Immunization. It's been in the works since 1998, and if you want your brain to explode, here is a very highly technical explanation of it:

www.emea.eu.int/vetdocs/PDFs/EPAR/Eurifel/026600en6.pdf

The reason there is SPECULATION that this will be safer is that one theory about what causes the high incidence of injection site sarcomas in cats is a tendency for their immune system to sort of "over-react" to injections or punctures in the skin. No one really knows if this is what causes injection site sarcomas in cats, nor if it is, what co-factors may be needed to trigger the development of the tumors.

The last "big news" was vaccines without adjuvants, such as Merial's Purevax feline rabies vaccine (adjuvants are irritating substances added to some vaccines in the hope that the irritation will cause the immune system to respond more strongly to the vaccine), which was also supposed to cause fewer problems in cats.

Until we really understand what triggers injection site sarcomas in cats, most of these new products and delivery systems will just be (pardon the pun) shots in the dark.
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Christie Keith
Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
Holistic Husbandry since 1986
Meet the Felines!

Thank you, Christie for your input. I was hoping someone with a little more knowlege would help out here!

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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Hi Christie,

ellen

>>It is made by Merial and is called Transcutaneous Immunization. It's been in the works since 1998, and if you want your brain to explode, here is a very highly technical explanation of it:
>>
>>www.emea.eu.int/vetdocs/PDFs/EPAR/Eurifel/026600en6.pdf
>>
>>The reason there is SPECULATION that this will be safer is that one theory about what causes the high incidence of injection site sarcomas in cats is a tendency for their immune system to sort of "over-react" to injections or punctures in the skin. No one really knows if this is what causes injection site sarcomas in cats, nor if it is, what co-factors may be needed to trigger the development of the tumors.
>>
>>The last "big news" was vaccines without adjuvants, such as Merial's Purevax feline rabies vaccine (adjuvants are irritating substances added to some vaccines in the hope that the irritation will cause the immune system to respond more strongly to the vaccine), which was also supposed to cause fewer problems in cats.
>>
>>Until we really understand what triggers injection site sarcomas in cats, most of these new products and delivery systems will just be (pardon the pun) shots in the dark.
>>-----
>>Christie Keith
>>Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
>>Holistic Husbandry since 1986
>>Meet the Felines!