Multicenter case-control study of risk factors associated with development of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether particular vaccine brands, other injectable medications, customary vaccination practices, or various host factors were associated with the formation of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats.


METHODS
Prospective multicenter case-control study.


METHODS
Cats in the United States and Canada with soft tissue sarcomas or basal cell tumors.


METHODS
Veterinarians submitting biopsy specimens from cats with a confirmed diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma or basal cell tumor were contacted for patient medical history. Time window statistical analyses were used in conjunction with various assumptions about case definitions.


RESULTS
No single vaccine brand or manufacturer within antigen class was found to be associated with sarcoma formation. Factors related to vaccine administration were also not associated with sarcoma development, with the possible exception of vaccine temperature prior to injection. Two injectable medications (long-acting penicillin and methyl prednisolone acetate) were administered to case cats more frequently than to control cats.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings do not support the hypotheses that specific brands or types of vaccine within antigen class, vaccine practices such as reuse of syringes, concomitant viral infection, history of trauma, or residence either increase or decrease the risk of vaccine-associated sarcoma formation in cats. There was evidence to suggest that certain long-acting injectable medications may also be associated with sarcoma formation.
Kass
Philip H
PH
Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Spangler
William L
WL
Hendrick
Mattie J
MJ
McGill
Lawrence D
LD
Esplin
D Glen
DG
Lester
Sally
S
Slater
Margaret
M
Meyer
E Kathryn
EK
Boucher
Faith
F
Peters
Erika M
EM
Gobar
Glenna G
GG
Htoo
Thurein
T
Decile
Kendra
K
D000818:Animals; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D018295:Neoplasms, Basal Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*