QUARTERLY BEAT / DECEMBER 2021 ///
WEBINAR HIGHLIGHTS
ELLEN M. CAROZZA , LVT AAFP/AAHA Feline Vaccine Guidelines Task Force Member The Latest Scoop on Feline Vaccines
a previous vaccination for the pathogen. Where revaccination is considered necessary in a cat that has experienced an allergic reaction, using a different vaccine formulation and premedication with an antihistamine and glucocorticoid 20–30 minutes prior to vaccine administration is recommended, followed by close observation of the patient for several hours. Currently, the Feline Vaccination Guidelines Task Force recommends that veterinarians and owners monitor the vaccination site for swelling or lumps using the “3-2-1” rule.
Utilize the recommended vaccination site as seen in the diagram provided (tail and distal limb) and document any other vaccinations in the chart where given to track any adverse responses. It is currently recommended to administer the vaccines in the following manner in the feline patient:
• FVRCP given in RIGHT front limb • Rabies given in the RIGHT hind limb • FeLV given in the LEFT hind limb
It is recognized that practitioners may need to use medically appropriate discretion regarding the anatomical location of vaccinations given. It is strongly advised to keep complete, accurate records for site and route of vaccination. Everyone in the veterinary practice plays a crucial role in ensuring our feline patients are kept properly vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides a useful resource and online training module, “You Call the Shots: Vaccine Storage and Handling,” for staff training on vaccination. Practices are encouraged to have a designated person to be the primary vaccine coordinator for the facility. Always have a secondary person to serve as an alternate in the absence of the primary coordinator. Both coordinators should be fully trained in the routine and emergency policies and procedures. The Veterinarian’s Role: • Patient assessment, regardless of appointment type of current vaccine status • Discussion of an individualized vaccination plan for the patient and then discussed and agreed upon in collaboration with the cat owner In addition to the development of a vaccination protocol for the cat, the veterinarian should provide staff education on the following:
Biopsy of any mass present is warranted if it: • Remains present 3 months after vaccination • Is larger than 2 cm in diameter • Increases in size 1 month after vaccination
It is recommended to obtain an incisional biopsy on any masses meeting any of these criteria. Fine-needle aspirates may not provide diagnostic cellular tissue, whereas excisional biopsies rarely meet appropriate margins (5 cm in two fascial planes) as required in the case of injection-site sarcomas, which increases the morbidity and mortality risks associated with sarcoma invasion. It is important to have follow up examinations and phone calls to check on any clients with pets experiencing an adverse response where a Feline injection site sarcoma (FISSs) is of concern. Since FISSs are a risk, the Task Force recommends vaccination in the lower distal limbs to facilitate clean margins if surgical amputation is required. Other recommendations are as follows: • No vaccination in the interscapular space • No decrease in vaccine volume size • No ventral abdomen subcutaneous injections due to the need to remove to fascial planes and 5 cm margins. This requires aggressive tissue removal from the abdomen and abdominal cavity
Continued on page 8
6
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker