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LUMPS THAT DEVELOP AT THE INJECTIONS SITE Vaccine includes an infectious organism rendered harmless but still capable of stimulating the immune system. In some instances the organism is "live" but weakened in some way. In other instances, the organism is killed. Some vaccine is made from killed bacterial organisms rather than viral organisms and other vaccine (such as the rattlesnake bite vaccine) is made against proteins and no infectious organism is involved. The larger the organism and the more complicated the proteins, the more local inflammation results after the injection and this sometimes translates into a firm knot or bump at the injection site. Similarly killed virus vaccine is often "adjuvanted" meaning stabilizers are added to keep the dead virus concentrated in one spot for maximal immune stimulation. Adjuvanted vaccines tend to produce knots as well. These growths are typically noted a few weeks following vaccination and generally resolve on their own. These are not allergic reactions but are inflammatory reactions caused by the immune stimulation of the injection. If a lump persists longer than 3 months from the time of vaccination or is >2 cm in diameter any time after vaccination then it should be removed and biopsied. This is particularly true for cats as they have the potential to develop injection site tumors.REPORTING A VACCINATION REACTION The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) is responsible for licensing animal vaccines. The agency within the USDA that is immediately responsible is the Center for Veterinary Biologics. This agency is responsible for reviewing vaccine reaction reports and considers whether or not the manufacturer must perform additional investigation. The CVB is also responsible for unannounced testing of vaccine-producing facilities. Vaccination reactions may be reported to the CVB directly or to the manufacturer, though the manufacturer is not required to pass vaccine reaction reports along to the CVB. The advantage of reporting reactions to the manufacturer instead of the CVB is that often the manufacturer will cover the costs of treatment as long as the reaction extends beyond the mild malaise that is a natural result of the vaccination process. Different manufacturers have different policies regarding reimbursement but if one finds oneself with a significant expense from a vaccine reaction, it may be worthwhile to have one's veterinarian look into reimbursement from the manufacturer. To report a vaccine reaction to Center for Veterinary Biologics visit: www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/vet_biologics/vb_adverse_event.shtml |
LUMPS THAT DEVELOP AT THE INJECTION SITE AFTER VACCINATIONS
by
Melanie Miller
of Our Heart 2 Yours Bulldogs
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