by Michael
This is an example of what can go wrong with respect to cat vaccination. It resulted in litigation – a court case or law suit, which at the time of writing (Feb. 2012) is still proceeding; hence the need to write carefully.
A lot us know by now that feline vaccinations, that were once thought of as obligatory and given routinely as boosters are no longer the wonder medicine that we thought they were. Certain vaccinations in certain countries are obligatory (rabies vaccination) but there is dispute about the need to routinely administer other vaccines.
Recommendations are now provided as to the place on the cat where the vaccination is administered in new medical procedures to minimize negative side effects one of which is VAS – “vaccine associated sarcoma”.
The vaccine can cause cancer, to put it in layperson’s terminology, which is what is alleged to have happened to a cat called, Kitty Kat.
Kitty Kat lived with Jena Gonzalez and she is suing her former veterinarian for professional negligence, malpractice as well as negligent misrepresentation.
Her expert witness is Dr Bob Rogers. I received an email about this matter and was asked to forward it or post it to colleagues. Posting it here is probably better.
Jena Gonzalez alleges that she was not advised properly by her vet and was not therefore able to provide informed consent to the vaccinations. She would have refused the vaccinations if given informed consent, she says.
It is claimed that Kitty Kat was given “two unnecessary vaccines, an adjuvanted PLPRhCv vaccination at a two year interval and an adjuvanted FeLV vaccine to an adult cat.”
Despite Jena Gonzalez’s best efforts in funding surgery and chemotherapy Kitty Kat died 2.14.11.
Jena is seeking help in funding legal costs expected to be $10,000.
I think this law suit is important because I also think that there is a lot of over-vaccination going on vets in the USA, UK and Europe. It is a good earner for the vets.
The case may help to alter the attitude towards feline vaccination that seems to be prevalent at veterinary surgeries in the West generally.
I am pleased to say that my local vet, in Barnes, London (Vets at White Hart Lane) did not recommend that my cat, Charlie be vaccinated despite going out occasionally because the area is quite affluent and it is likely that cats in the area are vaccinated resulting in protection for other cats i.e. the diseases are in check in the area. This advice strongly indicated to me that I have an excellent veterinarian who is thinking about the health of animals in his charge and not simply being formulaic in the interests of enhancing profits.
Donations to help pay legal fees
“Donations are tax deductible and can be made to the NPO C.A.R.E.S., (Critter Advocacy Responsibility Ethics Science)( www.critteradvocacy.org ) at 5703 Louetta Rd. Spring, Texas 77379.” – Bob Rogers who is providing his services pro bono (free of charge).
My research indicates that one in one thousand cats die of cancer caused by a vaccination. The source is Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Guide.
Michael
