title: Development of an injection site sarcoma shortly after meloxicam injection in an unvaccinated cat.
abstract: A single dose of a rapidly-absorbed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) was injected into the subcutaneous tissue of the interscapular region of a 12.5-year-old cat. A mild swelling was noticed at the injection site 6 weeks later. This progressed into a 5 cm diameter mass which was removed 6 months after the injection had been given. An injection site sarcoma (ISS) was diagnosed histologically. As the cat had not been vaccinated for at least 12 years, the previous NSAID injection was considered to be a possible cause of the ISS. Inflammation is thought to be important in the development of ISS. If injection of a rapidly-absorbed NSAID can stimulate sufficient inflammation to promote the development of an ISS, other non-vaccine injections may also have the potential to influence ISS development. This suggests that injection of both vaccines and non-vaccine medications should be minimised to reduce the risk of ISS development.
authors: Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. j.munday@massey.ac.nz
authors: John S
authors: JS
authors: Munday
authors: Katalin
authors: K
authors: Banyay
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Aberdein
authors: Adrienne F
authors: AF
authors: French
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D000077239:Meloxicam; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary*; D013843:Thiazines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D013843:Thiazines; D013844:Thiazoles; D000077239:Meloxicam